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Foundation News
Up to $60,000 research funding available; proposals due January 17

As part of its mission to fund research with direct application to the profession, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation is accepting research proposals to be considered for funding in 2020. Proposals are due January 17, 2020 and may request a maximum of $30,000 per project. Up to $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 Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Awardees will 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 website at aasv.org/foundation/2020/research.php. Proposals may be submitted by mail or email (preferred). A panel of AASV members will evaluate and select proposals for funding, based on the following scoring system:

A summary of the research funded by the foundation over the past 13 years is available at aasv.org/foundation/research.

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 Email: aasv@aasv.org

Debt relief scholarship available to young practitioners

For the second year, the AASV Foundation will award a $5000 scholarship to an AASV member engaged in private practice who is between 2 and 5 years post-graduation from veterinary school and who carries a significant student debt burden.

The scholarship was initiated with a $110,000 contribution to the foundation by the Conrad Schmidt and Family Endowment. Dr Schmidt, a charter member of AASV, explained, “Together, Judy and I noticed that many new DVM graduates interested in swine medicine begin their professional life with heavy educational debt obligations. It is our desire to help AASV members who have dedicated their professional skills to swine herd health and production. We hope that this endowment will grow over time to assist in reducing the educational debt load of AASV members as they begin their professional journeys.”

The Schmidts also expressed their hope that the contribution will prompt additional donors to join them in the effort to reduce the debt load of young veterinarians by endowing similar scholarships for other sectors of the profession such as corporate practice, technical services, and academia.

Applications are being accepted through January 31 for the scholarship to be awarded during the AASV Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The application form is available at aasv.org/foundation/debtrelief.php. The following criteria will be used to select the scholarship recipient:

  1. Joined AASV as a student enrolled in an AVMA-recognized college of veterinary medicine.
  2. Attended the AASV Annual Meeting as a student.
  3. Maintained continuous membership in AASV since graduation from veterinary school.
  4. Is at least 2 years and at most 5 years post-graduation from veterinary school.
  5. Has been engaged in private veterinary practice, 50% or more devoted to swine, providing on-farm service directly to independent pork producers. Veterinarians who work for production companies, pharmaceutical companies, or universities are not eligible for this scholarship.
  6. Has a significant student debt burden.

For more information, contact the AASV Foundation by email, aasv@aasv.org, or phone, 515-465-5255.

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 January 31, 2020, and the scholarship recipient will be announced on Sunday, March 8 during the Foundation Luncheon at the AASV 2020 Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

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. Twelve swine practitioners, recognized at aasv.org/foundation/hoggscholars, have been awarded this prestigious scholarship since it was established in 2008.

Dr Alex Hogg’s career serves as the ideal model for successful applicants. After twenty years in mixed animal practice, Dr Hogg pursued a master’s degree in veterinary pathology. He subsequently became a swine extension veterinarian and 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.

Hogg Scholarship Application Requirements

An applicant for the Hogg Scholarship shall have:

  1. Three or more years of experience as a swine veterinarian, either in a private practice or in an integrated production setting
  2. Five or more years of continuous membership in the American Association of Swine Veterinarians

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

The scholarship application requirements are also outlined on the AASV website at www.aasv.org/foundation/hoggscholarship.

Applications and requests for information may be addressed to:

AASV Foundation 830 26th Street Perry, IA 50220 Tel: 515-465-5255 Email: aasv@aasv.org

Veterinary students: Apply for $5000 scholarships by December 31

The AASV Foundation and Merck Animal Health are pleased to announce the continuation of the AASVF-Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. Ten $5000 scholarships will be awarded to sophomore and junior veterinary students in 2020. Now in its fifth year, the program seeks to identify future swine veterinarians and assist with their educational expenses. Applications are due December 31, 2019 for scholarships that will be announced at the 2020 AASV Annual Meeting.

Second- and third-year veterinary students enrolled in AVMA-accredited or -recognized colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, or the Caribbean Islands are eligible to apply. All applicants must be current (2019-2020) student members of AASV. Students who have previously been awarded one of the scholarships are not eligible to reapply.

To apply, students submit a resume and the name of a faculty member or AASV member to serve as a reference, along with written answers to 4 essay questions. The application and instructions are available at aasv.org/foundation/2020/AASVF-MerckApplication.pdf.

A committee of 4 conducts the selection process. Two AASV Foundation board members and 2 AASV members-at-large rank the applicants by scoring their past and current activities, level of interest in swine veterinary medicine, future career plans, and financial need. The scholarship recipients will be announced during the 2020 AASV Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, and the scholarship funds will be disbursed after the conference.

The AASVF-Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program is part of how Merck Animal Health and the AASV Foundation fulfill a shared mission of supporting the development and scholarship of students and veterinarians. For more information on scholarships and other AASV Foundation programs, see www.aasv.org/foundation.

Students eligible for $500 externship grants

Veterinary students, are you planning an externship focusing on swine practice? Take note: the AASV Foundation reimburses up to $500 in expenses incurred by students who complete a 2-week or longer externship in a swine practice or a mixed practice with a considerable swine component. Any AASV student member in veterinary school who fulfills the requirements is eligible to apply. More information can be found at aasv.org/students/externgrant.htm

Student members of AASV have access to a database of swine-oriented internship and externship opportunities, found at aasv.org/internships/index.php. AASV members who would like their internship and externship opportunities included in this directory (or updated) are encouraged to contact Jamie Madigan, AASV student delegate (aasvstudentdelegate@gmail.com) for more information.

It doesn’t get any better than this

Four people standing outdoors with golfing equipment

The team hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health took top honors at this years’ AASV Foundation Golf Outing. Left to right: Doug Wirth, Matt Sexton, Jeff Okones, and Paul Skartvedt.

Four people standing outdoors with golfing equipment

The second place team was hosted by Feed Energy. Left to right: Mark Weaver, Whitney Lincoln, Nick Knute, and Eric Weaver.

Four people standing outdoors with golfing equipment

The team hosted by AMVC took third place at this years’ AASV Foundation Golf Outing. Left to right: Nick Weihs, Troy Kellner, Jason Hocker, and Josh Ellingson.

Photos by Andrew Kleis, courtesy of Insight Wealth Group.

“What a beautiful day!” was the remark on everyone’s lips throughout the afternoon of the AASV Foundation’s annual golf fundraiser, held August 22 at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames, Iowa. The new AASV executive director, Dr Harry Snelson, took full credit for arranging the picture-perfect day. This was Dr Snelson’s first appearance at the event, which is now in its 21st year.

Regardless of its source, the delightful, cool, dry weather kept golfers’ smiles wide and spirits high as they navigated the 18-hole course in the best-ball contest. Fifty-one golfers on 13 teams competed for top team honors, which ultimately went to the foursome of Jeff Okones, Matt Sexton, Paul Skartvedt, and Doug Wirth, hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.

Second place was claimed by Nick Knute, Whitney Lincoln, Eric Weaver, and Mark Weaver on the Feed Energy team. Last year’s championship team, AMVC, took third place this year through the combined efforts of Josh Ellingson, Jason Hocker, Troy Kellner, and Nick Weihs.

Regardless of their placings, golfers enjoyed an afternoon filled with contests, drawings, and giveaways as they made their way around the course, thanks to generous support from sponsors. Thirteen companies chipped in to provide financial support for the outing in the form of beverage, lunch, dinner, and golf hole sponsorships. Besides adding to the enjoyment of the participants, their support increased the event’s profitability for the foundation.

The proceeds from the annual golf outing support a variety of foundation programs, including scholarships, research grants, travel stipends for veterinary students to attend the annual meeting, tuition support for the Swine Medicine Education Center, swine externship grants for veterinary students, and more. This year’s event raised over $14,000.

As usual, the event concluded with the awards dinner sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. The golf outing coordinator, Dr Josh Ellingson, announced the team and individual contest winners as follows:

First flight

First place team hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health (score of 61): Jeff Okones, Matt Sexton, Paul Skartvedt, and Doug Wirth

Second place team hosted by Feed Energy (score of 65): Nick Knute, Whitney Lincoln, Eric Weaver, and Mark Weaver

Third place team hosted by AMVC (score of 68): Josh Ellingson, Jason Hocker, Troy Kellner, and Nick Weihs

Second flight

First place team hosted by Aurora Pharmaceutical (score of 70): Gale Brinkman, Mark Brinkman, Jim Murray, and Grant Weaver

Second place team hosted by Merck Animal Health (score of 71): Mike Bauer, Jack Creel, Michelle Sprague, and Steve Sprague

Third place team hosted by Merck Animal Health (score of 72): Kimberly Crawford, Trevor Schwartz, Ethan Spronk, and Amber Stricker

Third flight

First place team hosted by Cambridge Technologies (score of 73): Jon Mahlberg, Nate Mahlberg, Danielle McKeown, and Doug Stine

Second place team (score of 74): Bo Ivers, Daryl Hammer, and Curtis Stutheit

Third place team (score of 74): Dan Little, Dan Rosener, and Rick Sibbel

Individual contests

Hole #1, Longest drive: Nick Weihs

Hole #9, Longest putt: Trevor Schwartz

Hole #9, Longest drive: Tom Marsteller

Hole #11, Closest to pin: Roy Edler

Hole #13, Closest to pin: Mark Weaver

Hole #13, Closest to pin: Tom Grady

Hole #16, Closest in 3 shots: Matt Sexton

Hole #18, Drawing for cooler: Jack Creel

Thank you!

The AASV Foundation appreciates the support of the following companies who “chipped in” to sponsor the AASV Foundation Golf Outing. Their financial support, in addition to the contests, drawings, and giveaways they provided for the golfers, helped make the event profitable for the foundation as well as fun for the participants.

DINNER SPONSOR: Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

LUNCH SPONSOR: APC

BEVERAGE SPONSOR: Zoetis

GOLF HOLE SPONSORS: Ceva Animal Health, Furst-McNess, GVL, Huvepharma, Insight Wealth Group, National Pork Producers Council, Pharmgate Animal Health, Phibro Animal Health, PrairiE Systems, Topigs Norsvin

2020: A Vision for the Future!

In 2019 we celebrated AASV’s 50th year since its founding. It was a great celebration and a chance to look back, enjoy the accomplishments, reminisce, and honor those who have gone before to make it all possible. Now as we plan for 2020, it is time to look to the future and the next 50 years! Dr Jeff Harker has selected “2020: A Vision for the Future” as the theme of the 51st AASV Annual Meeting to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, March 7-10, 2020.

The AASV Foundation was established in 1988 with a vision for the future, anticipating the need to set aside funds to expand and further the work and mission of our association. Since the founding of our Foundation, the vision and mission has continued to expand. Here is just a partial list of how our foundation is impacting the mission of AASV:

As you can see, the Foundation is always striving to fulfill its goal to ensure our future and create a legacy.

The mission of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation is to empower swine veterinarians to achieve a higher level of personal and professional effectiveness by:

While the foundation’s level of total endowed funds has grown each year, the ongoing use of funds for our many yearly investments in fulfilling the mission requires that we continue to encourage annual gifts. A great way for all members to contribute has been through proceeds from the annual meeting live and silent auctions. The auctions have become an integral part of the AASV Annual Meeting, thanks to the many donors and, of course, to all of you, the bidders!

Donate auction items by December 1

The Auction Committee is now reaching out to potential donors to solicit auction items or cash donations for this year’s auction, but please feel free to contact any member of the committee if you would like to support the auction this year. If you have questions or just want to discuss possibilities, please contact one of the committee members listed at aasv.org/foundation/2020/auctioninfo.php. Download the donation form at aasv.org/foundation/2020/Donationform.pdf and submit a description and image of your item(s) by December 1, 2019. Your contribution will be recognized in the printed auction catalog as well as on the auction website, and your name will appear in the JSHAP full-page spread recognizing all our auction item donors. If that’s not enough, there’s a good chance you may read about your donation in the AASV e-Letter!

Just remember:

If you don’t have a vision for the future, then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past.

— A. R. Bernard

Phibro offers $25,000 match for endowed contributions

Donors, take note: Phibro Animal Health Corporation will match up to $25,000 of endowed contributions made by AASV members in 2019!

Over the past 3 years, Phibro has contributed $75,000 as part of its 4-year pledge to the AASV Foundation. This is the fourth and final year for the matching funds to be available, so the foundation is calling upon its supporters to make sure the full value of the match is achieved.

Contributions from AASV members to the Leman, Heritage, and Legacy programs are endowed and count towards the match total. If you have not already become a Leman, Heritage, or Legacy donor, now is the time to make the most of your contribution by donating towards one of these programs before the end of the year.

For details on how to become a Leman ($1000), Heritage ($5000+), or Legacy ($50,000) donor, see www.aasv.org/ foundation, or contact the AASV Foundation by email, aasv@aasv.org, or phone, 515-465-5255.

Dr David Schoneweis
Dr Schoneweis was a charter member of the American Association of Swine Practitioners and served on the association’s Board of Directors in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Schoneweis family establishes scholarship

The children of the late Dr David Schoneweis have established a scholarship in his memory to benefit swine-interested veterinary students from Kansas State and Oklahoma State Universities. The inaugural $1000 David A Schoneweis Memorial Scholarship will be awarded during the Monday luncheon at the 2020 AASV Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

The scholarship was established through a $25,000 gift from the Schoneweis estate combined with an additional $1055 contributed by other donors in memory of Schoneweis.

Dr Schoneweis was born in Clay Center, Kansas, and earned his DVM degree from Kansas State University in 1956. He served two years in the Army Veterinary Corps before teaching clinical sciences at Oklahoma State University for six years. After two years in private practice in Lawrence, Kansas, he joined the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty in 1966, where he received his master’s degree in Surgery and Medicine in 1971 and taught food animal medicine for 30 years.

Dr Schoneweis was a charter member of the American Association of Swine Practitioners (AASP) and served on the association’s Board of Directors in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1997, he received the AASP Meritorious Service Award for his lifetime of support for the association and in recognition of his work with students as a professor of food animal medicine at Kansas State and Oklahoma State Universities.

The scholarship will be awarded to a student or students from Kansas State or Oklahoma State who participate in the student oral or poster presentations at the meeting, based upon a selection rubric prepared with the oversight and approval of the Schoneweis family. Qualifying students will automatically be considered for the scholarship, and do not need to submit a separate application.