Posted: July 7, 2025
Eight undergraduate students represented Penn State at the 2025 American Dairy Science Association—Undergraduate Student Division (ADSA-USD) meetings held in Louisville, KY, from June 20-24.
From left - Sara Kennedy, Sara Reed, Kieran Schug, Jessica Fleisher, Calvin Dechow, Hannah Mansfield, Sara McNichols, Emma McLaughlin
Penn State's chapter was named Outstanding Chapter for the fifth consecutive year, with the award based on an annual report of club activities, publications, website, and participation in ADSA-USD activities. The Dairyman yearbook edited by Adria Russell, Alexandria, PA, placed first; the club website compiled by Skylar Peiffer, Lebanon, PA, earned first place; and the club scrapbook designed by Kennedy also placed first.
Club members also earned first place in the dairy quiz bowl by going undefeated throughout the contest. Winning team members included Calvin Dechow, Julian, PA; Jessica Fleisher, Newport, PA; Emma McLauglin, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA; and Sara Reed, Troy, PA.
In other competitions, individuals were recognized. In the undergraduate oral presentation contest, Hannah Mansfield, Greenville, NC, earned first place in the production division with her talk, "Using precision technologies to monitor calf health." Sara Kennedy, Columbia Crossroads, PA, placed second in the dairy foods division with her discussion, "Dairy products: An asset to athlete performance," while Sara McNichols, Scranton, PA, earned second place in the undergraduate original research competition with her study, "A comparison of in vitro disappearance among alternate forage sources."
Lisa Holden, Ph.D., Interim Head of the Department of Animal Science, said, "Sincere congratulations to the club for their outstanding recognition at the ADSA-USD meetings. This is really an acknowledgement of their hard work and commitment to excellence, and we are very proud of all the members. It is also an acknowledgement of the faculty and staff and their leadership in providing support to the students."
At the awards luncheon, the club earned the award for "Chapter with the Most Miles Traveled" to the annual meeting.
Throughout 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 dairy products workshop.
During the meetings, Kieran Schug, Blue Point, NY, was elected first vice-president for the coming year after completing his term as officer at large of ADSA-USD. Club advisors Dale Olver, assistant teaching professor, dairy and animal science, and Chad Dechow, associate professor of dairy cattle genetics, accompanied the group.
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.
