Posted: March 17, 2017
R. Michael Hulet, Ph.D., is being recognized for his leadership in agriculture, specifically within the poultry industry.
R. Michael Hulet, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Poultry Science and Extension Poultry Specialist in Penn State's Department of Animal Science, received the 2017 Distinguished Service Award, Non-Industry Category, from PennAg Industries at their annual dinner on March 21.
In their recognition, PennAg Industries called Hulet a true friend of agriculture, honoring him for his "great leadership throughout his career" which continues daily as he works to benefit the agricultural industry.
Hulet has been a poultry specialist for meat birds at Penn State since 1993, and prior to that served for 12 years as an extension turkey specialist for Virginia Tech University. In his present position, he is primary instructor and organizer of Poultry Production and Management courses.
Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Animal Science, said, "It is very gratifying to have Mike Hulet recognized by PennAg Industries in appreciation of the many outstanding contributions he makes regularly to the poultry industry, both within Pennsylvania and across the country. I congratulate him on this significant achievement, and thank him for the excellence he brings to our Department."
A native of Utah, Hulet received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in animal science from Brigham Young University, and his Ph.D. in poultry science from Texas A&M University.
Hulet said, "No achievement is made without the teamwork of many contributors. The environment in Pennsylvania that allowed the close working of academia, industry, government and allied industry in solving problems is unique and allowed our poultry team to make significant contributions to the poultry industry. I appreciate PennAg for their support and coordination of many of these activities and recognition by this award."
His primary focus has been the development of educational and applied research programs, with emphasis on incubation and hatchability as well as poultry production management and environmental issues. Working collaboratively with others in the industry and at Penn State, he has been instrumental in conducting successful educational programs for hatchery workshops and meetings, regional game bird breeders and shooting preserve conferences, and poultry industry symposia.
Hulet has been active in speaking at over 30 professional meetings nationally and internationally, and has authored or co-authored articles in scientific and trade journals. He also co-advised student poultry tours to the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain.
In 2016, Hulet was named a Fellow of the Poultry Science Association (PSA), the highest recognition PSA bestows upon a member. He received the Phibro Animal Health Poultry Science Extension Award from PSA in 2010.
He was secretary/treasurer for PSA for six years and has served on a number of PSA committees (Extension Affairs, Environment, Nominations, Hy-Line International Award, 2007 Production, Environment, and Management Section Meeting Chair, and associate editor). He was on the board of directors and was treasurer for the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO).
