Posted: August 4, 2020
Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association recognized Dr. Etherton for his support and leadership.
Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Animal Science at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, was awarded the 2020 Industry Service Award by the Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association at their annual meeting on Saturday, July 25. The annual meeting was held as part of the PA Cattlemen's Association (PCA) and Pennsylvania Angus joint summer field day held in Mercer.
Paul Slayton, President of PCA, said the prestigious award was created to identify and acknowledge special individuals that have stepped up to assist the cattle and beef industries in Pennsylvania over the years. He said, "We chose to recognize Dr. Etherton for his untiring support over more than 20 years - always there when we needed support from outside our base membership. He was not just 'another pretty face' with a fancy name plate on his door; he was a dependable partner who had leverage and willingness to speak on our behalf if needed." Slayton pointed out that because PCA is a totally voluntary organization representing the interests of its members wherever and whenever there is a need, it is customary to reach out to industry leaders for leadership, direction and solutions to problems.
Dr. Etherton said, "It is very gratifying to receive this award from the Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association. Over the years, it has been a pleasure to work with them in advancing the interests of the beef cattle industry in Pennsylvania."
A native of Illinois, who grew up on a beef cattle farm, Dr. Etherton received his B.S. in Agricultural Science and his M.S. in Animal Science, both from the University of Illinois. He earned a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota and was an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University.
Named a Distinguished Professor of Animal Nutrition in 1996, Dr. Etherton has been head of the Department of Animal Science since 1998, beginning when it was the Department of Dairy and Animal Science.
He joined the Penn State faculty as Assistant Professor of Animal Nutrition in 1979. The recipient of numerous awards over the years, he received the Pennsylvania Distinguished Dairy Service Award from the PA Dairymen's Association, the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Professional Dairy Managers of PA in 2016.
Dr. Etherton has had a highly regarded scientific career that has been nationally and internationally recognized, and greatly impacted animal agriculture from both a science and political advocacy perspective.
He is married to Penny Kris-Etherton, Ph.D., distinguished professor of nutrition in the College of Health and Human Development who was recently named an Evan Pugh University Professor.
The Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association's mission is to be a member driven voice to protect and preserve the Pennsylvania cattle industry through legislation, producer education and youth development. Slayton noted that the Industry Service Award is presented only when there is a worthy candidate.
