Young member, especially graduate student, involvement in the American Society of Animal Science is good for both the person and the society! First, the professional associations and networking gained by being a member and participating in sectional and national meetings is invaluable for future professional growth, and likely for employment opportunities in the near term. It also provides an ongoing source of intellectual stimulation that keeps one abreast of scientific developments across animal science disciplines. Some of those I contact to try out new ideas are folks I have met through ASAS. And young members are good for the society--especially in these uncertain times for scientific societies, especially in regards to who will support the society in the future and how are journals going to be financed with increasing open access and declining subscriptions (especially institutional--libraries). So ASAS not only needs new members but also their ideas on how to forge into the future. And if ASAS does this right, those who are currently graduate students will be better served in the future than now.

Margaret

Margaret Benson
ASAS President-Elect