Fargo, N.D. — Students, faculty and staff from NDSU's Department of Animal Sciences were recognized at the Midwest meetings of the American Society of Animal Science/Dairy Science March 14-16 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Kimberly Vonnahme, NDSU associate professor of animal sciences, was named Outstanding Young Animal Scientist in the research category. She was recognized for her achievements in developing a nationally recognized research program in the area of reproductive physiology.
Sarah Wagner, NDSU associate professor of animal sciences, was named as the Outstanding Young Animal Scientist in the teaching category. She was recognized for her achievements in developing the large animal minor in the veterinary technology program.
Members of the NDSU Quadrathlon team (Beth Hendrickx from Bowman, N.D., Nathan Hayes from Big Lake, Minn., Quynn Larson from Brandon, S.D., and Phil Steichen from Ulen, Minn.) placed first in oral presentation and written exam and second place overall. The squad competed against 15 teams from universities throughout the Midwest. The team's adviser is Kasey Carlin, assistant professor of animal sciences.
NDSU graduate student Allison Meyer and Bryan Neville, assistant animal scientist, were recognized as Animal Science Young Scholars. This award recognizes students who are in the process of completing their doctoral program or who have recently completed their degree.
NDSU senior Phil Steichen also presented a paper, "Effect of feeding high sulfur vs. high crude protein diets on heifer growth and performance," in the undergraduate oral competition.
J.W. Schroeder, NDSU associate professor and Extension dairy specialist, chaired the graduate student poster competition and Eric Berg, associate professor of animal sciences, chaired the Growth, Development, Muscle Biology and Meat Science Section.
Greg Lardy, NDSU department head and professor, was recognized for his service as Midwest ASAS ADSA director.
David Buchanan, NDSU professor of animal sciences, and Lardy also presented invited papers. Buchanan's paper was titled "Teaching techniques for enhancing the learning experience of today's students: Engaging Students" and was presented in the Teaching Symposium. Lardy's paper was titled "You got the interview, now what? Part 1: Tips on interviewing for a graduate assistantship successfully," which was presented in the Graduate Student Symposium.
NDSU animal sciences students, staff and faculty wrote or co-wrote six poster presentations and seven oral presentations at the meetings.