Clubs and Teams

The University provides many opportunities for entertainment, supplemental education, or involvement. Within the Penn State system there are some 400 student organizations.

Penn State Animal Science Clubs

Block and Bridle Club

The Penn State Chapter of the National Block and Bridle Club is open to any Penn State student with an interest in the animal industries. Exciting club activities include the welcome back picnic, industry tours, and the fall and spring meat sales. The club also holds an annual "Beef up the Blood Supply" spring blood drive and collects "Blood for Bats" for the Philadelphia Zoo. Club members have a chance to travel to Harrisburg for the Keystone International Livestock Exposition, to help with the judging contest. Each spring, the club holds the annual Little International Livestock Exposition, where students have the opportunity to learn hands on how to prepare the exhibit horses, sheep, swine and beef cattle. Every year the club participates in the National Block and Bridle Convention. Club meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month in 101 ASI Building. Advisers: Morgan Brumbaugh, 814-863-0831; Austin Brown; Dr. Tara Felix.

Collegiate Horsemen's Association at Penn State (CHAPS)

The Collegiate Horsemen's Association at Penn State (CHAPS) is a club for all Penn State equine enthusiasts. Members participate in horse-related activities such as mare grooming, industry-related activities and trips, various equine related demonstrations (round penning, mounted shooting, etc.), and socials. Many of our CHAPS members get involved with the Penn State Quarter Horse Breeding Farm, Penn State's Annual Quarter Horse Sale, and the Penn State equestrian teams. CHAPS meetings will be every other Tuesday of the month. Time and location will be announced. Adviser: Ms. Andrea Kocher, 314 ASI, 863-3957, alg917@psu.edu

Dairy Science Club

The Dairy Science Club is open to Penn State students from all colleges who have an interest in the dairy industry. Major emphasis is placed on promotional, educational, and service events. Club activities are numerous and include the Nittany Lion Fall Classic Holstein Consignment Sale, Holiday Cheesebox Sale, Dairy Days Cow Camp, Spring Judging Contest, and the Dairy Exposition fitting and showmanship competition. Other events include public service activities such as various workshops and contests held for dairy youth across Pennsylvania. Club members travel to other states during the annual spring break trip. Recent domestic destinations included Texas and Arizona.. International destinations have included Italy, the Netherlands, and Costa Rica. Penn State has been recognized as the nation's outstanding student chapter by the American Dairy Science Association many times over the last 10 years. The Penn State Dairy Science Club meets every other Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in 101 ASI Building. Advisers are Mr. Dale Olver, 349 ASI, dro105@psu.edu, and Dr. Chad Dechow, Almquist Research Center, cdd1@psu.edu.

Meat Science Club

The Penn State Meat Science Club is open to both graduate and undergraduate students and focuses on careers and general interest in the meat industry. Speakers from different segments of the industry attend meetings in order to inform our members about their jobs and opportunities that may be available for food science and animal science majors. Student-led fundraisers include the following: manufacturing beef jerky, processing flavored hot dogs, as well as clothing sales. While our club grows, we have social events and industry tours, for example touring Bell and Evans poultry processing facility. We are lucky to have the Penn State Meat Science Lab that provides our group with hands-on learning opportunities in a safe, USDA-inspected meat processing facility. Adviser: Dr. Sam Watson, scw186@psu.edu

Poultry Science Club

The Penn State Poultry Science Club is open to any student with an interest in poultry and avian species. Emphasis is placed on educational, service, and social events and activities. The two most anticipated events each year are the trip to Atlanta for the International Poultry Trade Show and College Student Career Program and the Spring Banquet. Other club activities include the fall and spring semester educational tours, community service projects (Heifer International, and Easter baskets for the Food Bank), the fresh turkey sale at Thanksgiving and numerous social activities. The Poultry Science Club has been consistently recognized nationally. The Club has won the National Scrapbook of the Year competitions and has been recognized as the National Club of the Year numerous times. The Penn State Poultry Science Club typically meets on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Come join us for dinner and a guest speaker. For more information, contact Montana Riggs, 317 ASI, mrr5507@psu.edu.

Pre-Vet Club

Sponsored by the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.

The Pre-Vet Club is designed to allow students interested in veterinary medicine as a career to interact with each other and provide an opportunity to gain experiences relevant to veterinary medicine. The club meets every other Monday evening to discuss current and upcoming activities and events as well as to listen to and interact with guest speakers from many different aspects of veterinary services, veterinary schools and animal-related activities. Club activities include offering a variety of faculty directed wet laboratories, volunteer experiences with local animal shelters, THON, and other social events. An organized trip to the annual American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA) Symposium occurs every year. The club organizes opportunities to meet with admission officers of veterinary schools and visits to nearby veterinary schools. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Van Saun at rjv10@psu.edu.

Small and Exotic Animal Club (SEAC)

Small and Exotic Animal Club (SEAC) strives to educate the Penn State community about current animal issues. The purpose of this group is to promote the improvement of animal welfare, increase education about small and exotic animals, and provide animal-oriented volunteer opportunities. The club strives to bring our members up close and personal with the animals we talk about through speakers with animal ambassadors and trips. Some of our activities include volunteering at T&D Cats of the World, trips to zoos and local farms, social events like formals and movie nights, and participating in events through the College of Agriculture. The club is open to any student with the desire to learn about a wide variety of animals and animal- related topics. Adviser: Dr. Nancy Dreschel, 312 ASI, 814-863-4197, nad5@psu.edu

Penn State Collegiate Cattlewomen Club

Penn State Collegiate Cattlewomen is a club available to students from any college who have an interest in cattle, both beef and dairy. Major emphasis is placed on promotional activities, educational events, and social events that will forge a closer bond among collegiate men and women with an interest in the animal industry. Important activities include the "Raise the Grade" Cattleschool, farm and industry tours, Meat-In Day, and attendance to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show, where the American National Cattlewomen hold their annual meeting. Our goal as a club is to be a connection between the cattle industry and the university by providing accurate information at our various events.

Collegiate Cattlewomen club meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7 pm in 324 ASI. Advisers: Morgan Brumbaugh, 814-863-0831, and Austin Brown.

Penn State Animal Judging Teams

Dairy Cattle Judging Team

The Dairy Cattle Judging Team is selected from interested students who attend workouts at the beginning of fall semester. Four student judges make up each Penn State team. Contest opportunities include the PA All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, World Dairy Exposition in Madison, Wisconsin, and North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. Intensive training sessions are held at the Maryland State Fair and at outstanding farms around the nation. Contestants place classes, give reasons, and meet students from other universities. For more information, contact Mr. Dale Olver at dro105@psu.edu.

Horse Judging Team

Members of the Penn State Horse Judging Team are selected from those students who have demonstrated their ability and interest in applying the "form and function" to selection of American Quarter Horses. Students interested in the team should enroll in AN SC 217-Introduction to Horse Judging (spring) prior to enrolling in AN SC 426-Advanced Judging and Selection (fall) and competing for a position on the team. The four-member team and one alternate compete at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, Columbus, OH, and The AQHA World Quarter Horse Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Contestants place and give reasons on both halter and performance classes. Further practice in judging can be obtained in AN SC 327 and in special sessions scheduled for students interested in contest competition. For more information, contact Mr. Brian Egan at (814) 863-0569 or began@psu.edu.

Livestock Judging Team

The Penn State Livestock Judging Team is open to any student within the University who has a sincere interest in the improvement of meat animals utilizing modern techniques of evaluation and methods of selection. Students interested in the team should enroll in AN SC 324-Value Determination of Meat Animals (fall) and AN SC 424-Livestock Breeding, Evaluation and Selection (spring) prior to enrolling in AN SC 426-Advanced Judging and Selection (fall) and competing for a position on the team. The team of five to ten competes at four regional contests and two national intercollegiate contests: All-East, various universities east of the Mississippi; Keystone International, Harrisburg, PA; Main Event, Dayton, OH; American Royal, Kansas City, MO; and North American International at Louisville, KY. Students judge market and breeding beef cattle, sheep and swine, and provide oral reasons on selected classes. Performance records are incorporated in a variety of classes. For more information, contact Alli Jobe, acj5282@psu.edu

Poultry Judging Team

The Penn State Poultry Judging Team gives students the opportunity to attend two events per year. These poultry judging events consist of table egg quality, meat-carcass quality, breeder performance, and breed phenotype characteristics. The fall contest is held in Arkansas and the spring event takes place in Louisiana. By participating in the Poultry Judging Team, the benefit to students is four-fold:

• provides decision analysis skills associated with genetic potential of poultry breeds
• provides decision analysis of poultry commodity quality (eggs/meat)
• provides potential employers with information about students' association with extra-curricular activities related to poultry industry
• provides students with interaction among national agricultural programs and students

For more information, contact Montana Riggs at mrr5507@psu.edu.

Penn State Animal Research Teams

Penn State Equine Research Team

The Penn State Equine Research Team is a club that is open to anyone with an interest in equine research. This team presents an opportunity for undergraduate students to gain exposure to this field, as well as develop a basic understanding of the "real world" of equine research. The meetings provide a setting for students with the same interests to engage in informal and enlightening discussion of equine science. This club is also a great opportunity for students to learn about graduate school opportunities here at Penn State, and across the country. Members will have the opportunity to help with research projects being carried out throughout the year, as well as gain hands on experience and insight into the world of equine research. Equine Research Team meetings will be the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 5:45 PM in 324 ASI. Adviser: Dr. Burt Staniar, 316 ASI, 814- 865-0698; Dr. Danielle Smarsh, 315 ASI, 814-865-7810.

Penn State Center for Reproductive Biology and Health Research Team

The CRBH Research Team's main goal is to assist in observations of estrus behavior and general health checks of dairy cows used for reproductive biology research. Each student will have the opportunity to interact with graduate students and postdoctoral associates in reproductive biology at meetings, learn about current research projects and why this research is likely to benefit both agriculture and human medicine. Through biweekly meetings, we discuss how to get involved in research and in the world of reproduction to help students find new interests within the field. Advisers: Dr. Adrian Barragan, axb779@psu.edu, Dr. Franciso Diaz, fjd10@psu.edu, and, Dr. Claire Stenhouse, cms9086@psu.edu.