Dr. George Fahey - A pioneer in companion animal science, defined by heart, integrity, and purpose.  

“Just as family has grounded my personal life, ASAS has anchored my professional one. ”
— Dr. George Fahey, ASAS member since 1973

  (Left: George growing up on the farm)
"A childhood spent on a farm in the hills of central West Virginia offered the greatest classroom - where cattle, sheep, and the land itself became teachers. This 1,400-acre farm was worked by my parents, who never had the chance to attend school beyond eighth grade, and by my grandparents, who had even less formal education. That farm and being in 4-H were full of lessons in responsibility, curiosity, patience, and respect for the animals entrusted to us.      

  
(Above, left to right: George, 1970's and as a Specialist 5 in the Army Reserves during graduate school)

For me, animal science came into clear focus during my undergraduate years at West Virginia University (WVU), where two agricultural biochemistry courses changed everything. They revealed a field where curiosity could directly improve lives. Graduate study followed at WVU, with an M.S. in Agricultural Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition.

Through the guidance of my advisor, Dr. George A. McLaren, I joined ASAS, which has been both my professional home and lifelong community - where ideas are challenged, friendships are formed, and the next generation is encouraged to lead. Dr. McLaren, along with Drs. Gene Becker, Everett Hatfield, Frank Hinds, Dave Baker, and Jim Corbin, shaped how I taught, led, and contributed to our field.

     (Left, left to right: Dr. Dave Baker, Dr. Jim Corbin)

As I reflect on my near 50 year (and still counting) research and teaching career at the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, the greatest privilege has been mentoring close to 100 graduate students and postdocs, while sharing research across the U.S. and around the world. And in 2016, receiving the ASAS Morrison Award, after decades of watching others I deeply admired be honored, was certainly one of the most humbling moments of my life.
  
(Above Left: George was a speaker at a pet food conference in Taiwan along with Dr. Kelly Swanson and Dr. Amy Fischer. Above Right: The Berger-Merchen-Fahey research group in the late 1980's.)

Away from the lab and classroom, the center of my life has always been family. My wife, Amy, and I have been together for 38 years. We met when she was working temporarily in Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, long before she built her own career as Director of IT in the College of Applied Health Sciences. Our daughters, Laura, Bridget, and Elizabeth, have each built meaningful lives of their own, and our granddaughter, Gia Marie, brings joy into every day.

  
(Above Left: George and Amy with Laura and Elizabeth, their spouses, and Gia Marie. Above Right (left to right) Amy, Bridget, George)

Just as family has grounded my personal life, ASAS has anchored my professional one. Having both begun our journeys in animal science/agriculture and with our careers at the University of Illinois, Amy and I share a deep commitment to paying forward the mentorship that shaped our lives and helping the next generation find their own purpose and become leaders. Through the ASAS Foundation, the George Fahey Appreciation Club carries forward the part of my work that mattered most to me - supporting students.

  (Left: George receiving the MW Section ASAS Young Researcher Award from Dr. Walt Woods.)

This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for our ASAS family - those who teach, mentor, and inspire every day. In the spirit of gratitude, please join us in giving thanks by supporting a fund within the ASAS Foundation that holds meaning for you. Together, gratitude grows into opportunity for the future of animal science."

George Fahey, Ph.D. | Emeritus Professor | College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences | Animal Sciences and Nutritional Sciences | University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

If George's story has inspired you, become an ASAS Foundation Partner and join George and Amy in making a difference.

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by funding travel scholarships, critical internships, and other key initiatives.
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