The AASV Foundation is pleased to announce that Merck Animal Health has provided $25,000 for a new veterinary student scholarship program. The AASVF-Merck Veterinary Student Scholarship Program seeks to identify and assist future swine veterinarians with their educational expenses.

Second- and third-year veterinary students enrolled in AVMA-accredited or -recognized colleges of veterinary medicine in the Canada, the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, South America, and the United States are eligible to apply for one of the five $5000 scholarships to be awarded. All applicants must be current student members of AASV. To apply, students must submit a resume and the name of a faculty member or AASV member to serve as a reference, along with written answers to four essay questions. Applications for the scholarships to be awarded in 2016 were due December 31, 2015.

The selection process will be conducted by a committee of four, which includes two AASV Foundation Board members and two AASV members-at-large. On the basis of the submitted materials, the student applicants will be scored and ranked on their past and current activities, level of interest in swine veterinary medicine, future career plans, and financial need. The five scholarship recipients will be announced during the 2016 AASV Annual Meeting in New Orleans, and the scholarship funds will be disbursed in March, after the conference.

The AASVF-Merck Veterinary Student Scholarship Program provides yet another opportunity for the AASV Foundation to fulfill its mission of “supporting the development and scholarship of students and veterinarians interested in the swine industry.” For more information on scholarships and other AASV Foundation programs, see www.aasv.org/foundation.

MVP Laboratories donates raffle grand prize

For the past few years, the AASV Foundation raffle has proven to be a very successful fundraiser, and MVP Laboratories is doing its part to ensure its continued success. Last year, the company donated a 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle for the raffle, which raised over $30,000 for the AASV Foundation!

This year, MVP Laboratories is once again donating the raffle grand prize, valued at $25,000. What is it? Take a look at http://ecom.aasv.org/raffle and see for yourself! While you’re there, scroll down the page and purchase your chance to win this incredible prize! Tickets are $100 each, and can also be purchased from one of the auction committee members, or at the AASV registration desk during the AASV Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

The winning raffle ticket will be drawn and announced during the AASV Foundation Auction on Monday night, February 29, in New Orleans. The winner does not need to be present – so ALL AASV members can participate, knowing they have a chance to win and support the AASV Foundation at the same time. Thanks to MVP Laboratories, the AASV Foundation is a winner with every ticket purchased!

Check out the items up for bid at www.aasv.org/foundation and make plans to participate in the 2016 AASV Foundation Live and Silent Auctions! Remember, if you’re not attending the AASV Annual Meeting, you can submit bids by phone (515-465-5255) or e-mail (aasv@aasv.org) prior to February 23.

Since all of the items have been donated, the full amount of each winning bid will support AASV Foundation programs, including swine research, scholarships, swine externship grants, annual meeting travel stipends for students, tuition grants at the Swine Medicine Education Center, and more!

The auctions will be held Monday, February 29, during the AASV Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Thank you for supporting the AASV Foundation with your auction donations and bids!

AASV Foundation issues call for research proposals: $60,000 available

As part of its mission to fund research with direct application to the profession, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation seeks research proposals for funding in 2016. Proposals are due January 29, 2016, and may request a maximum of $30,000 (US$) per project. A maximum of $60,000 will be awarded across two or more projects. The announcement of projects selected for funding will take place at the AASV Foundation Luncheon in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Sunday, February 28, 2016 (awardees may be notified in advance).

Proposed research should fit one of the five action areas stated in the AASV Foundation mission statement (see sidebar).

The instructions for submitting proposals are available on the AASV Foundation Web site at https://www.aasv.org/foundation/2016/research.php. Proposals may be submitted by mail or e-mail (preferred).

A panel of AASV members will evaluate and select proposals for funding, on the basis of the following scoring system:

• Potential benefit to swine veterinarians/swine industry (40 points)
• Probability of success within timeline (35 points)
• Scientific/investigative quality (15 points)
• Budget justification (5 points)
• Originality (5 points)

For more information, or to submit a proposal:

AASV Foundation, 830 26th Street, Perry, IA 50220-2328; Tel: 515-465-5255; Fax: 515-465-3832; e-mail: aasv@aasv.org.

Swine veterinarians invited to apply for Hogg Scholarship

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation is pleased to offer the Hogg Scholarship, established to honor the memory of longtime AASV member and swine industry leader Dr Alex Hogg. Applications for the $10,000 scholarship will be accepted until February 1, 2016, and the scholarship recipient will be announced on Sunday, February 28, during the Foundation Luncheon at the 2016 AASV Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

The intent of the scholarship is to assist a swine veterinarian in his or her efforts to return to school for graduate education (resulting in a master’s degree or higher) in an academic field of study related to swine health and production.

Dr Alex Hogg’s career serves as the ideal model for successful applicants. After 20 years in mixed-animal practice, Dr Hogg pursued a master’s degree in veterinary pathology. He subsequently became Nebraska’s swine extension veterinarian and a professor at the University of Nebraska. Upon “retirement,” Dr Hogg capped off his career with his work for MVP Laboratories. Always an enthusiastic learner, at age 75 he graduated from the Executive Veterinary Program offered at the University of Illinois.

The scholarship application requirements are outlined below and on the AASV Web site at http://www.aasv.org/foundation/hoggscholarship.htm.

Hogg Scholarship application requirements

An applicant for the Hogg Scholarship shall have

1.  Five or more years of experience as a swine veterinarian, either in a private practice or in an integrated production setting; and

2.  Five or more years of continuous membership in the AASV.

Applicants are required to submit the following for consideration as a Hogg Scholar:

1.  Current curriculum vitae,

2.  Letter of intent detailing his or her plans for graduate education and future plans for participation and employment within the swine industry, and

3.  Two letters of reference from AASV members attesting to the applicant’s qualifications to be a Hogg Scholar.

Applications and requests for information may be addressed to AASV Foundation, 830 26th Street, Perry, IA 50220-2328; Tel: 515-465-5255; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org.