Posted: June 24, 2024
Nine undergraduate students represented Penn State at the 2024 American Dairy Science Association—Undergraduate Student Division (ADSA-USD) meetings held in West Palm Beach, Florida, from June 15-18.
Penn State students who attended ADSA-USD meeting include, L-R,Emory Bewley, Kendal Jenkins, Katerina Coffman, Jessica Fleisher, Paige Peiffer, Madison Benfer, Calvin Dechow, Hannah Mansfield, Kieran Schug
For the fourth consecutive year, Penn State was named Outstanding Chapter, based on an annual report of club activities, publications, website, and participation in ADSA-USD activities.
Penn State earned first place in an exciting dairy quiz bowl contest by going undefeated throughout the day. Winning team members included Emory Bewley, Susquehanna, PA; Jessica Fleisher, Newport, PA; Hannah Mansfield, Greenville, NC; and Paige Peiffer, Lebanon, PA.
The Dairyman yearbook edited by Benfer and Adria Russell, Alexandria, PA, placed third, and the club website compiled by AuBree Route, Leroy, PA, earned third place. The club scrapbook designed by Grace Hutchin, Bentleyville, PA, was also part of the competition. Finally, Penn State earned the award for “Chapter with the Most Miles Traveled” to the annual meeting.
In the undergraduate oral presentation contest, Katerina Coffman, Petersburg, PA, earned second place in the production division with her talk, “Aspirin intervention strategies for multiparous fresh cows.” Madison Benfer, Curryville, PA, competed in the dairy foods division with her discussion, “The rise of reduced-lactose and lactose-free dairy products,” while Kendal Jenkins, Columbia Crossroads, PA earned second place in the undergraduate original research competition with her study, “Evaluating sire fertility and calving traits in lost Holstein Y-chromosome lineages.”
Calvin Dechow, Julian, PA, completed his term as officer at large of ADSA-USD, and Kieran Schug, Blue Point, NY was elected USD officer at large for the coming year. Dr. Chad Dechow completed his term as ADSA-USD advisor.
Several students earned ADSA scholarship certificates based on academic achievement and club involvement. These included Jenkins, Peiffer, Lynneah Brady, Big Cove Tannery, PA, and Sara McNichols, Scranton, PA.
During the meetings, club members participated in educational and networking events and had the opportunity to present and view scientific talks and posters. In addition, students attended a career roundtable lunch and a career development workshop. The students were accompanied by club co-advisors Dale Olver and Dr. Chad Dechow.
The students attended the meetings as members of the American Dairy Science Association Undergraduate Student Division (ADSA-USD). ADSA was established in 1906 as a scientific and educational association to serve the dairy and dairy-related industries.
