Taking Stock - Special Edition
ASAS Foundation Week, May 18-22, 2026 

In This Edition - May 20, 2026  

• Leading the Way! - James Reecy, Ph.D., ASAS Foundation Chair
• Philanthropy in Action!
  • Undergraduate and Graduate Student Support
    • 2026 Recipients - Yesid Garavito-Duarte and Alexa Gormley
  • Early Career Animal Scientists Support - "Because We've Been Where They're Going"
    • 2008 Early Career Achievement Award Recipient - Sung Woo Kim, Ph.D.
    • 2026 Early Career Achievement Award Recipient - Xiaoqiu Wang, Ph.D.
  • Professional Members Awards - Mike Tokach, Ph.D. and Huaijun Zhou, Ph.D.
• Leaving a Legacy - Steve and Patty Armbruster
• One Day for ASAS, Thursday, May 21, 2026 
• Thank You ASAS Foundation Partners
  • "Why I Give" - N. Andy Cole, Ph.D.

Leading the Way!

Philanthropy in Action!

IMPACT: Undergraduate and Graduate Students

  (Left: Yesid Garavito-Duarte, Ph.D. Candidate)
"I am honored to receive the Dr. Gary Allee Graduate Student Travel Scholarship Award, which provides a valuable opportunity to present my research and connect with fellow scientists at the ASAS meeting. This support plays an important role in my professional growth and training as a Ph.D. student. I am deeply thankful to the ASAS Foundation for their commitment to supporting graduate student development in animal science.” Yesid Garavito-Duarte | Ph.D. Candidate, Animal Science | North Carolina State University | 2026

 (Left: Alexa Gormley, Ph.D. Candidate)
"I am grateful to receive the Swine Nutrition Heritage Fund Travel Scholarship Award, which reflects the commitment of ASAS to supporting graduate student development. This award enabled me to attend the ASAS Midwest Section Meeting, share my research, and engage with fellow researchers, industry professionals, and academic leaders. These experiences are invaluable for professional growth and for advancing collaborative science in swine nutrition and I would like to thank the ASAS Foundation for their support!"  Alexa Gormley | Ph.D. Candidate, Animal Science | North Carolina State University | 2026 

IMPACT: Early Career Animal Scientists

Early Career Achievement Award Recipients, supported by the Fellows Fund

"THEN" 2008 Recipient
      (Left: "THEN" Sung Woo Kim, 2008 and "NOW" Sung Woo Kim, Ph.D.)

"Eighteen years ago, as a young scientist, being honored with the Early Career Achievement Award was a tremendous encouragement. Looking back, that recognition fueled my passion for animal science research and strengthened my commitment to making a contribution." Sung Woo Kim, Ph.D. | WNR Distinguished Professor | Department of Animal Science | North Carolina State University

and "NOW" 2026 Recipient
 (Left: Xiaoqiu "Churchill" Wang, Ph.D.)
“I am truly grateful to receive the 2026 Early Career Achievement Award* from the American Society of Animal Science Foundation. This honor represents not only my work, but the dedication of outstanding students, postdocs, and collaborators who have contributed to our shared mission of improving reproductive efficiency and understanding uterine biology. It inspires me to continue investing in mentorship and to create opportunities for trainees to grow as future leaders in animal science."  Xiaoqiu "Churchill" Wang | Associate Professor | Department of Animal Science | North Carolina State University *Supported by ASAS Foundation's Fellows Fund

IMPACT: Professional Members

 (Left: Mike Tokach, Ph.D.)
"I am truly humbled to receive the F.B. Morrison Award. The award recognizes outstanding researchers that have had a direct impact on livestock production and is often viewed as the greatest award that can be received by a researcher in ASAS. The list of previous winners is an amazing compilation of people, whose work I read about in graduate school and followed throughout my career. To be included in their midst is an amazing honor." Mike Tokach, Ph.D. | Professor | Department of Animal Sciences and Industry | Kansas State University

(Left: Huaijun Zhou, Ph.D.)
"I am deeply honored to receive the 2026 ASAS Innovations in Animal Breeding and Genetics Award. This recognition from ASAS is especially meaningful as it reflects the broader impact of our research across poultry, cattle, pigs, and fish through functional genome annotation efforts. This award belongs to the talented postdoctoral scholars, students, and scientists in my lab, and to our collaborators worldwide, whose collective work advances sustainable animal agriculture and global food security. I am especially grateful to the ASAS Foundation for supporting innovations that translate science into real-world impact for animal health and communities worldwide." Huaijun Zhou, Ph.D. | Chancellor’s Leadership Professor | Department of Animal Science | University of California, Davis

Partner with us as we work together to make a difference in our members' lives, like Yesid and Alexa and Drs. Kim, Wang, Tokach, and Zhou!

Your Vision. Our Thanks. Leaving A Legacy 

The 1908 Society

"We’ve always believed that all students deserve strong support as they pursue their goals."  Steve Armbruster, Ph.D.

 
🧭 "Because we've been, where they are going."
(Above, left: Steve with his childhood best friend, "Brownie." Above, right: Steve being recognized as an ASAS Fellow)

"ASAS has been part of my life since graduate school, shaping my journey from a farm in Oklahoma to a career in ruminant nutrition, teaching, and mentoring. One of the most rewarding parts of my work has been helping students grow into confident, capable scientists. Patty, a lifelong educator, shares that same passion for mentorship. We’ve always believed that all students deserve strong support as they pursue their goals. 

Supporting ASAS in perpetuity was an easy and heartfelt decision for Patty and me. That's why we included the ASAS Foundation in our estate plan, so we can continue supporting future leaders long after we’re gone. When asked to explain our legacy gift, I found myself turning to the ASAS website. Its mission and impact speak volumes.

ONE DAY FOR ASAS - TOMORROW!

One Day for ASAS - Fuel the Future
because we've been where they are going
May 21, 2026

Make your gift today to honor your journey and to support theirs!
Contributions now through May 21st support One Day for ASAS

Thank you - ASAS Foundation Giving Partners!   

WHY I GIVE

 (Left: N. Andy Cole, Ph.D.)
“I give to the ASAS Foundation because it is incredibly rewarding to help graduate students and early-career animal scientists access the same opportunities that helped shape so many of us. Supporting travel, research recognition, and future leaders ensures they can build careers and memories that they will carry for a lifetime.” N. Andy Cole, Ph.D., PAS, ACAN | ASAS Fellow | ASAS Member Since

"P.S. - The Fellows Club Fund is not just for ASAS Fellows! It's a fund for those of us who want to help recognize and celebrate early-career animal scientists and their research." 

Thank You to our ASAS Foundation Partners!

Partner with us as we work together to ensure that the generations after us have the same experiences, share similar stories, and carry on with the smile you hold when you think of all that being an ASAS member has done for you.

Be sure to visit our 2026 ASAS Foundation Impact Report to read the extensive impact of your generosity and that of all our Giving Partners.

Contributions are accepted online or you may mail a check payable to American Society of Animal Science to ASAS Foundation, PO Box 7410, Champaign, IL 61826-7410. For more information on ways to give, such as gifts of securities or an IRA’s QCD, please visit here.

We thank our supporters by recognizing them as Giving Partners. For information about the ASAS Foundation Giving Partner levels, visit online here. 

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