The Giving Herd - ASAS Foundation Newsletter - June 2026
The Giving Herd "Inspire · Ignite · Invest"
In This June Edition
Philanthropy in Action!
- Bentley Lecture - Orville Bentley Appreciation Club.
- Jennifer Patterson, Ph.D.
- Bentley Lecture - Orville Bentley Appreciation Club.
- ASAS Membership Sustains. Philanthropy Expands.
- Membership Dues and Philanthropy - Both Matter.
- James Reecy, Ph.D., ASAS Foundation Chair
- Membership Dues and Philanthropy - Both Matter.
- The Foundation Behind the Opportunities
- Take the crossword challenge - play online!
- A Look Ahead and Thank You ASAS Foundation Partners
- Amy Brainard, CFRE, ASAS Chief Development Officer
Philanthropy in Action!
(Left: Jennifer Patterson, Ph.D.)
"I was very honored to be selected to give the 2026 Bentley Lecture at the Midwest Animal Science Meeting and I am delighted to be added to the list of previous presenters. This recognition is very meaningful to me; it not only reflects the work I feel privileged to pursue, but it also honors the legacy of my mentors and the current work of our team.
Importantly, it allows us to highlight our commitment to putting ‘Science into Practice’ - which couldn’t be achieved without industry collaboration and partnerships." Jennifer Patterson, Ph.D. | Professor | University of Alberta
Congratulations to Dr. Patterson, recipient of the Bentley Lecture, made possible by the Orville Bentley Appreciation Club.
Investing in Animal Science and Scientists!
Support for distinguished lectures such as this one reflects the strength of the ASAS community and helps bring leading voices and new ideas to our profession.
Learn more about and get involved in creating additional opportunities for our members, online at ASAS Foundation.
Membership Sustains. Philanthropy Expands.
Membership and Philanthropy - Both Matter.
(Left: James M. Reecy, Ph.D.)
Dear ASAS Friends,
One of the most common questions we hear is, “Doesn’t my membership cover everything?” It's a fair question. Many ASAS members believe their membership dues cover everything the Society does. It’s an understandable assumption.
After all, membership supports the meetings, publications, programs, communications, and infrastructure that keep ASAS strong and serving the animal science community year after year.But there is another side to the story.
The Foundation provides scholarships, travel opportunities, awards, internships, symposia, lectures, leadership development, and mentorship - the very experiences that help shape careers and advance animal science. Some of the most meaningful opportunities ASAS provides are made possible not through membership dues but through philanthropy.
When we think about the organizations we choose to support philanthropically, they are often organizations that have touched our lives in a meaningful way. For many of us, ASAS has been part of our story for decades and a meaningful presence throughout our professional journeys. Yet many of us have never thought about ASAS in the same way we think about other charitable organizations we support. The ASAS Foundation provides an opportunity to invest in the people, programs, and experiences that helped shape our own careers and to ensure those same opportunities remain available for those who follow us.
Membership supports ASAS today. Philanthropy helps create opportunities for tomorrow. Both matter.
If ASAS has played a meaningful role in your story, we invite you to include the Foundation in your charitable giving. Together, we can continue to open doors, create opportunities, and invest in the animal scientists who will follow in our footsteps.
James M. Reecy, Ph.D. | ASAS Foundation Chair | Professor | Department of Animal and Range Sciences | Iowa State University
The Foundation Behind the Opportunities
Ready for a challenge? Test your knowledge of how philanthropy supports animal science by completing the ASAS Foundation crossword puzzle.
Play Online Now
Across
3. Giving back to the profession and community that helped shape your journey and investing in those who follow.
5. Providing real-world experiences that help bridge the gap between the classroom and a career in animal science.
8. Helping students and young professionals pursue opportunities that advance their education, careers, and involvement in ASAS.
Down
1. Connecting generations of animal scientists through encouragement, guidance, and shared experiences.
2. Using experience, integrity, and vision to strengthen the future of animal science.
4. Celebrating excellence, innovation, and the achievements that move animal science forward.
6. Providing access to the meetings, opportunities, and experiences that help build careers in animal science.
7. Bringing together experts, ideas, and discoveries that inspire learning, collaboration, and scientific advancement.
Thank you - ASAS Foundation Giving Partners!
Looking Ahead
(Left: Amy Brainard, CFRE)
Dear ASAS Foundation Giving Partners,
As we look forward to the ASAS Annual Meeting in Madison, I simply want to say thank you. Whether you made a gift this year or have supported the Foundation for many years, your generosity helps create opportunities that make a difference throughout our animal science community.
One of my favorite traditions each year is the ASAS Foundation Donors Reception. This is more than a reception; it's an opportunity to celebrate the generosity that fuels scholarships, travel awards, internships, leadership development, and professional recognition throughout our profession. While we know many donors are unable to attend the Annual Meeting, please know how grateful we are for your support and partnership.
If you made a gift in 2025 or 2026, please watch your email in late June for your invitation. Thank you, ASAS Foundation Partners, for the difference you continue to make! Be sure to check out our 2026 ASAS Foundation Impact Report to see the students, researchers, and programs made possible by your generosity!
As we celebrate the 2026 ASAS Foundation award recipients, we're already preparing for the next cycle of opportunities. Applications and nominations for the 2027 ASAS Foundation awards will open later this summer, and I hope you'll give special consideration to two new awards: the Stormshak Innovations in Reproductive Biology Award and the Jerry J. Reeves Graduate Student Travel Scholarship. Whether you apply yourself or nominate a deserving student, colleague, or mentor, these awards represent exciting new ways to recognize and support excellence in our profession.
Finally, a quick scheduling note: with the Annual Meeting just around the corner, there will not be a July edition of The Giving Herd. I look forward to reconnecting with you in August with updates from Madison and news about upcoming Foundation opportunities.
Until then, thank you for being part of the ASAS Foundation family and for helping invest in the future of animal science!
Amy
Amy Brainard, CFRE
Chief Development Officer
American Society of Animal Science Foundation
