The Giving Herd - ASAS Foundation Newsletter - September 2025

The Giving Herd "Inspire · Ignite · Invest"
In This September Edition:

• Your Dollars Making a Difference - 2026 Scholarships - Apply Now
  • D.C. Animal Agriculture Policy Internship (Summer 2026)
  • Swine Nutrition Heritage Fund - Travel Award
  • Dr. Gary Allee Travel Award
• ASAS Member's Journey - "ASAS has been my professional home for over 65 years!" - Fredrick Stormshak, Ph.D.
• Additional Scholarships - Applications Opening Soon!
  • Legacy Scholarships (NEW!)
  • Joseph P. Fontenot Travel Scholarship
  • Wilson G. Pond International Travel Scholarship
  • H. Allen Tucker Graduate Student Travel Scholarship
• Thank You ASAS Foundation Giving Partners
• A Message from ASAS Foundation Chair - James Reecy, Ph.D.

Inspire · Ignite · Invest - Your Dollars Making a Difference
2026 Summer Internship and Scholarships - Time to Apply!      

Kick Off the School Year with Big Opportunities!
Apply now for the 2026 D.C. Summer Internship and Student Travel Scholarships.

These are incredible opportunities to grow your career in animal science, all made possible through the generous support of ASAS Foundation donors who believe in your future.

Don’t wait - apply today and take the next step in your ASAS journey!

OPEN NOW FOR APPLICATIONS:

• D.C. Animal Agriculture Policy Internship (Summer 2026)
• Swine Nutrition Heritage Fund - Travel Scholarship
• Dr. Gary Allee Appreciation Club - Travel Award
  

D.C. Animal Agriculture Policy Internship (Summer 2026)
This internship offers undergraduates and graduate students experience in legislative, regulatory, or administrative science policy activities in Washington, D.C., related to animal science or the production of animal-sourced foods. 

It also provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to communicate science to policymakers and the general public, encouraging more people to choose a career in public policy at the federal, state, or local level.

The internship is 60-90 days during the academic summer session in 2026.

For more information and application guidelines, visit D.C. Animal Agriculture Policy Internship Guidelines.  Deadline to Apply: October 31, 2025 

Swine Nutrition Heritage Fund - Travel Scholarship
This scholarship provides financial assistance for a graduate student focusing on swine nutrition to be used towards travel expenses to the 2026 ASAS Midwest or Annual Meeting. 

This fund offers graduate students the opportunity to gain valuable learning experiences, expand their professional network, and establish lasting relationships with colleagues and friends in the field.

“We walked among giants,” Dean Boyd noted in reflection of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) extraordinary nonruminant nutritionists' lineage that can be traced back to Drs. Ernie Peo, Murray Danielson, Austin Lewis, Bobby D. Moser, and so many more “giants.” This fund honors and celebrates UNL's extraordinary history while supporting current and future animal scientists. 

For more information and application guidelines, visit Swine Nutrition Heritage Fund Guidelines. Deadline to Apply: November 10, 2025. Apply online here.

Dr. Gary Allee Appreciation Club - Travel Award
This award provides financial assistance for a graduate student member of ASAS, focusing on nonruminant nutrition, to assist with travel expenses to the 2026 Midwest Meeting.

From 2012-2021, this fund supported non-ruminant nutrition symposia at the Midwest Sectional Meeting.
Beginning in 2025, this fund now supports a graduate student in nonruminant nutrition to attend the ASAS Midwest Meeting. This continues to honor Dr. Gary Allee and his contributions to non-ruminant nutrition, recognizing his commitment to the importance of students attending the ASAS Midwest Meeting.

For more information and application guidelines, visit Dr. Gary Allee Appreciation Club - Travel Award Guidelines. Deadline to Apply: November 10, 2025. Apply online here.  

Discover how your charitable contributions can empower animal scientists by funding travel scholarships, critical internships, and other key initiatives. Visit us online HERE.

Stepping into Legacy - A Member's Journey:

Meet Fred and Alice Stormshak, the newest members of our 1908 Society Family!      

“ASAS has been my professional home for over 65 years - connecting me to the science, students, and colleagues that shaped my entire career.”
— Dr. Fredrick Stormshak 

Dr. Fred Stormshak - A Lifetime of Discovery, Mentorship, and Reproductive Biology Excellence  

"As the youngest of five children born to immigrant parents from the former Yugoslavia, my life began on a dairy farm near Enumclaw, Washington, instilling in me a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for agriculture. In 1955, college studies began at Washington State University, being the first in the family to pursue higher education. My initial goal of becoming a high school ag teacher gave way to a growing interest in research, prompting a shift to dairy science and setting the stage for a lifelong commitment to animal science.

     
Above Left (left to right): Fred Stormshak, Washington State Univ., 1959 and L.E. Casida, Ph.D., joined ASAS in 1932

Joining American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) in 1960 marked a pivotal point in my journey. At the time, I was a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, pursuing a doctorate in endocrinology under the esteemed mentorship of Dr. L.E. Casida. 

One of his most memorable pieces of advice, “let the animal do the talking,” remains an enduring principle that continues to shape how I think about research. His influence extended far beyond the lab, guiding me toward deeper engagement with the Journal of Animal Science and the ASAS community. 

Above: Alice and Fred Stormshak

That same year, a mutual friend introduced me to Alice, and what a remarkable year it turned out to be. Alice was raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin, earned her BA from Carroll University, began graduate study at the University of Wisconsin, and later completed a master’s degree in education at Oregon State University.

Now, six decades of marriage later, we've been blessed with two amazing daughters, both accomplished in their own right. But the true sparkle in our lives comes from our four incredible granddaughters, Talia, Samara, Lily, and Carly, each one bringing joy, laughter, and pride into our world in their own special way. Watching them grow has been one of the greatest joys of our lives. 

During my tenure as a faculty member at Oregon State University, one of my top priorities became encouraging students to publish their work in the Journal of Animal Science and to present at ASAS meetings, which had been instrumental in shaping my own career.

Mentoring graduate students and watching them grow through their own experiences, just as I once did, has been one of the greatest privileges and accomplishments of my academic life. Many went on to lead academic research programs or practice veterinary medicine at the highest level. 

Above: A few of Dr. Stormshak’s former graduate students.  Back Row, Left to Right: Shelby Filley(PhD),Cecily Bishop(PhD),Jessica Schrunk(MS), Mary Smallman(MS), Tim Hazzard( PhD, DVM),
Ov Slayden( PhD), Kelly Pinkard-Hazzard(MS,DVM), Diana Takahashi(MS), Mary Zelinski(PhD). Front Row, Left to Right: Fred and Alice Stormshak

Above: Alice, Fred, and their faithful companion, Zeke.

Alice and I have a shared commitment to educating the next generation and fostering lifelong learning. We’ve worked to create opportunities that honor the past while inspiring and equipping future leaders.

To honor the field that shaped my life, Alice and I recently established the Stormshak Innovations in Reproductive Biology Award through the ASAS Foundation and joined ASAS Foundation’s 1908 Society. The award is designed to support excellence in the study of reproductive biology of large domestic animals and to encourage future generations to advance the field with the same passion and purpose. 

Whether ASAS has shaped your career, supported your students, or simply offered a sense of belonging in the animal science community, consider paying it forward. Whether it’s a legacy gift like ours or a contribution to any ASAS Foundation initiative, your support helps fuel the future of animal science.

Together, we can ensure that the next generation of scientists has the same opportunities, support, and inspiration that shaped our own journeys and that the story of animal science continues to grow for decades to come." 

Fred Stormshak, ASAS Member since 1960

If you have been inspired by Fred and Alice's story, mentored by his wisdom, or simply believe in the power of investing in the future of animal science, you can help carry this legacy forward. To learn more about or to support the Stormshak Innovations in Reproductive Biology Award, visit online here.

Become an ASAS Foundation Partner, at any level, and join the Stormshaks in making a difference.

To learn more about supporting animal scientists through all stages of their careers through the ASAS Foundation, visit online here.

 DONATE

COMING SOON - Student Travel Scholarship Applications
(Awared at Annual Meeting)

• Legacy Scholarships - ALL NEW!
• Joseph P. Fontenot Travel Scholarship
• H. Allen Tucker Graduate Student Travel Scholarship
• Wilson G. Pond International Travel Scholarship

Legacy Scholarships provide the critical financial support students need to attend ASAS meetings, where they present groundbreaking research, connect with respected leaders, and take meaningful steps toward their future careers.

These scholarships fuel the development of emerging leaders, researchers, and educators who will advance the field of animal science. Together, we pass the torch and strengthen the legacy of ASAS - one scholarship, one student, one future at a time!

Applicants must be an ASAS member for at least 12 months, a current graduate student member of ASAS and submit an abstract for oral presentation at an ASAS meeting.
Legacy Scholarships - Applications accepted starting November 3, 2025. For complete guidelines, visit online here. 

The Joseph P. Fontenot Travel Scholarship provides financial assistance for a graduate student member of ASAS to be used towards travel expenses to the ASAS Southern Section Meeting or the ASAS-CSAS Joint Annual Meeting.

Applicants must submit an abstract for oral presentation at the ASAS Southern Section Meeting or ASAS Annual Meeting.

Joseph P. Fontenot Travel Scholarship - Applications accepted starting November 3, 2025. For complete guidelines, visit Fontenot Scholarship Guidelines.

The H. Allen Tucker Graduate Student Travel Scholarship provides financial assistance to a graduate student member of ASAS to be used towards travel expenses to the ASAS Annual Meeting or the Biennial Biology of Lactation Workshop. 

Applicants must submit an abstract for oral presentation related to research in physiology, endocrinology, growth, or developmental biology for the Annual Meeting.

H. Allen Tucker Graduate Student Travel Scholarship - Applications accepted starting November 3, 2025. For complete guidelines, visit Tucker Scholarship Guidelines.

The Wilson G. Pond International Travel Scholarship provides financial assistance to a student, post-doctoral fellow, or within ten years of their PhD graduation date, and member of ASAS for at least 12 months, to be used towards travel expenses to attend an international meeting or training in an international venue. 

This scholarship is intended to aid in the professional development and success of young animal scientists in an international venue and to cover international travel within the given calendar year. 

Wilson G. Pond International Travel Scholarship - Applications accepted starting November 3, 2025. For complete guidelines, visit Pond Scholarship Guidelines.

 James M. Reecy, Ph.D.
“One of the greatest privileges of serving as chair of the ASAS Foundation Committee is seeing firsthand how generosity creates momentum. Every story, every gift, every act of support is building something bigger than any one of us. The Inspire · Ignite · Invest campaign isn’t just about raising funds - it’s about raising up the future of animal science, together. Thank you for believing in what’s possible.”
James M. Reecy, Ph.D. | ASAS Foundation Chair | Professor | Department of Animal and Range Sciences | Iowa State University

For the ASAS Foundation, every gift is more than a donation; it's a spark of inspiration. A spark that inspires innovation in research, ignites opportunities for students, and honors the mentors and leaders who’ve shaped animal science for generations.

Whether you’ve been part of our journey for years or are just learning about the Foundation, one thing is always true - you are part of fueling the future!
From scholarships that send students to present their first research, to legacy gifts that honor mentors and friends, the Foundation is a living tribute to the strength of our animal science community.

Thank you!

The future of animal science is being shaped every day through student presentations, breakthrough research, and global collaboration. And behind each of those moments stands a community of generous partners like you.

Your support does more than fund programs, it fuels opportunity, ignites innovation, and opens doors for the next generation of scientists. Because of you, stories are unfolding that might never have been told.

To our 2024 and 2025 ASAS Foundation Partners: thank you for believing in the impact we create together.

We invite you to explore the ASAS Foundation 2025 Impact Report, where you’ll hear directly from students, researchers, and members whose lives have been touched by your generosity. Every story is a reminder of the legacy you're helping build.

Thank you for partnering with us and moving animal science forward, together.