The AASV Foundation plans to award up to $100,000 in 2023 to support research with direct application to the swine veterinary profession and is now receiving proposals to be considered for funding.
Proposals are due by 12:00 pm Central Time on January 12, 2023 and may request a maximum of $30,000 per project. The announcement of projects selected for funding will take place during the AASV Annual Meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023.
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/2023/research.php. A panel of AASV members will evaluate and select proposals for funding, based on 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 515-465-5255; foundation@aasv.org
Early career swine practitioners, apply for debt relief by January 31
Applications are now being accepted for three, $5000 scholarships to be awarded to early-career swine practitioners through the Dr Conrad and Judy Schmidt Family Student Debt Relief Endowment. The scholarship recipients will be announced during the 2023 AASV Annual Meeting.
The scholarships are available to AASV members who are between 2 and 5 years post graduation from veterinary school (DVM/VMD graduation years 2018, 2019, or 2020), engaged in private practice, and who carry a significant student debt burden.
The scholarship program was initiated in 2019 with a $110,000 contribution to the foundation by the Conrad Schmidt and Family Endowment. Strong interest by applicants prompted the foundation board to increase the number of scholarships awarded to 3, beginning in 2021.
The scholarship application form is available at aasv.org/foundation/debtrelief.php. Applications are due January 31, 2023. The following criteria will be used to select the scholarship recipient:
- Joined AASV as a student enrolled in an AVMA-recognized college of veterinary medicine.
- Attended the AASV Annual Meeting as a student.
- Maintained continuous membership in AASV since graduation from veterinary school.
- Is at least 2 years and at most 5 years post graduation from veterinary school (2018, 2019, or 2020 DVM/VMD graduates).
- 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 the scholarship.
- Has a significant student debt burden.
Hogg Scholarship available to practitioners seeking MS or PhD; apply by January 31
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation is now accepting applications for the prestigious Hogg Scholarship, established to honor the memory of longtime AASV member and swine industry leader Dr Alex Hogg.
The intent of the $10,000 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. Seventeen swine practitioners, recognized at aasv.org/foundation/hoggscholars, have been awarded the scholarship since it was established in 2008.
Applications for the scholarship will be accepted until January 31, 2023. The scholarship recipient will be announced Monday, March 6 during the 2023 AASV Annual Meeting.
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 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 website at aasv.org/foundation/hoggscholarship.htm.
Hogg Scholarship application requirements
An applicant for the Hogg Scholarship shall have:
- Three or more years of experience as a swine veterinarian, either in a private practice or in an integrated production setting
- Five or more years of continuous membership in the AASV
- Current curriculum vitae
- Letter of intent detailing his or her plans for graduate education and future plans for participation and employment within the swine industry
- Two letters of reference from AASV members attesting to the applicant’s qualifications to be a Hogg Scholar
AASV Foundation 830 26th Street Perry, IA 50220 foundation@aasv.org
Hey bidder, bidder!
Hey bidder, bidder – Whatcha gonna bid? It is almost time for the AASV Foundation auction to be held in conjunction with the 2023 AASV Annual Meeting. But you do not need to attend the meeting to participate in the auction and lend your support to the AASV Foundation! This event is the key fundraiser to support the foundation’s annual disbursements of research grants, scholarships, externship grants, and more.
Hey bidder, bidder – Look what’s up for bid! Check out the many items donated for the auction at aasv.org/foundation/2023/auctionlist.php. There is something for everyone, from trips, sporting events, and household décor to artwork, handcrafted items, and pig collectibles. Thanks to the many generous item donors, the full proceeds of the winning bid will benefit the AASV Foundation!
Hey bidder, bidder – What are you REALLY bidding on? When you bid in the foundation auction, you are bidding on much more than a trip to a fun event or an item to display in your home. You are bidding to support research that will open a window on new information to help you understand and address the latest disease challenges. You are bidding on developing a veterinary student into a colleague ready to join your practice or research team. You are bidding on reducing the debt of the young swine veterinarian getting started in their career. You are bidding on helping a seasoned colleague (or yourself!) pursue advanced training. Look past the “market value” of the auction item to see the true value of your bid: Priceless!
As in the past couple of years, the silent auction will be conducted entirely online using the popular ClickBid site. Bidding will open in February at aasvf.cbo.io. Anyone can bid anytime until the auction closes at 7:00 pm MST on March 6. Donors will ship or deliver items to the winning bidders after the auction.
The live auction will be conducted on site at the Gaylord Rockies Resort immediately following the Awards Reception Monday, March 6. “BE there” to bid in person or submit bids for live auction items to foundation@aasv.org.
Hey bidder, bidder – Whatcha gonna bid?
New Heritage Video featuring KT Wright
A new Heritage Video, featuring Dr KT Wright, is now available. The Heritage Video Series is an ongoing project of the AASV Communications Committee, with support from the AASV Foundation and the creativity of Dr Sarah Probst Miller and Ag Create, to record and preserve AASV history through the recollections of its members. The video is available for viewing by AASV members at aasv.org/members/only/video.
A new year, a new face, a new email address
The beginning of a new year is frequently a starting point for change, and the AASV Foundation has a couple of recent changes to report.
The foundation is pleased to announce that it has contracted with Rhea Schirm to serve as part-time foundation manager. Under the auspices of AASV, Rhea will be performing the day-to-day administrative duties of the foundation, including receiving and acknowledging applications for grants and scholarships as well as contributions. She will be working closely with the AASV Foundation Board of Directors to carry out the many projects currently administered by the foundation, while at the same time making an effort to expand its funded programs as well as its giving opportunities.
While Rhea may be new to the foundation, there is a good chance she is already familiar to many. Last year, she was contracted to fill the part-time role of JSHAP publications manager. Prior to that, she worked for the National Pork Board for 10 years. In her role at the National Pork Board, she worked extensively to coordinate their research grant process. Her skills will be put to good use for the AASV Foundation! You can learn more about Rhea in her Publication Manager’s message in the September/October issue of JSHAP.
The foundation also reports that it has established a dedicated email address, separate from that of AASV. The address foundation@aasv.org is intended for all communications directed to the AASV Foundation, including contributions, applications, and questions or suggestions regarding foundation programs or activities.
As 2023 gets underway, please take a few moments to update your email contact list with the AASV Foundation’s new email address and send a quick message to welcome Rhea to her new role. Happy New Year!
AASV Foundation to cosponsor Annual Meeting luncheon
Attendees will see an exciting change at the 2023 AASV Annual Meeting Monday luncheon. Seizing an opportunity to increase its exposure and broaden its outreach, the AASV Foundation Board of Directors recently voted to cosponsor the Monday luncheon with AASV. The luncheon is included with meeting registration and will take place on Monday, March 6 in Aurora, Colorado.
As in the past, the veterinary student scholarship recipients will be announced during the luncheon. In addition, the recipients of other foundation-funded programs will be recognized, including the Hogg Scholarship, debt-relief scholarships, and research grants. The foundation will also honor its newest Heritage and Legacy donors and highlight its recent and upcoming activities.
Previously, the “Foundation Luncheon” was hosted on Sunday for Leman, Heritage, and Legacy donors to attend. By cosponsoring the well-attended luncheon on Monday instead, the foundation will be able to increase the visibility of its many activities and giving opportunities across a broader cross-section of the AASV membership while also providing support for the Annual Meeting.