Dr. Vernon G. Pursel Memorial Distinguished Service Award
Nominations now being accepted through April 15, 2025. Send nomination material to Robin Keyser, robin.keyser@comcast.net.
Award Information
I. Name of the award: Washington, D.C., ARPAS Chapter, Dr. Vernon G. Pursel Memorial Distinguished Service in Animal Science Award.
II. Nature of award: Presentation of an appropriate plaque and recognition at the annual meeting of the Chapter.
III. Purpose: To recognize 1 individual each year who has provided distinguished service to the animal sciences and whose professional character, career,
and accomplishments have served to create a positive image for Professional Animal Scientists.
IV. Eligibility for nomination:
1) Persons who have rendered very distinguished service to the animal sciences over a long period of time.
2) A part of the service time to the animal sciences must have been within the geographical Region served by the Washington Area ARPAS Chapter.
V. Selection:
1) One person each year may be selected from any one of the following categories: government, teaching, research, extension, administration, or
industry.
2) After reviewing the nominations, the Award Selection Committee has the option of deciding to not present the award for that year.
3) The candidate selected must be approved by the Chapter Board of Directors prior to presentation of the award.
VI. Award Selection Committee:
1) The committee will consist of a chair and 3 members. The chair and one member will be replaced each year.
2) The Chapter Past President will serve as chair.
3) Selection of the committee members will be made by the Chapter Governing Board.
VII. Material to be supplied by nominator:
1) Letter of nomination
2) A dossier of not more than 5 pages that contains the following material:
a. Biographical information
b. Summary of nominee's accomplishments and contributions to the animal sciences.
c. Formatting should conform to Times New Roman, 12 pt, single-spaced, and 1-inch margins.
3) One copy of a citation of approximately 500 words suitable for publication in The Professional Animal Scientist.
VIII. Nomination procedure:
1) Each year, the deadline for nomination submissions will be either April 15 or a deadline determined and announced by the Chapter President.
2) Nomination material is to be submitted to the Chapter Secretary
3) Neither the nominator nor the nominee is required to be a member of ARPAS ... but it is highly recommended!
Past Distinguished Service Awardees
For distinguished service to the animal sciences and in recognition of professional character and career accomplishments that serve as a model for professional animal scientists, the Washington DC Area Chapter of ARPAS honors the following:
2024 Susan Harper
2023 M. Jennifer Woodard-Greene
2022 Suzanne Sechen and Michaela (Mika) Alewynse
2021 Suzanne Hubbard
2020 Curtis Van Tassell
2019 Robert R. Peters
2018 Paul VanRaden and Richard Sellers
2017 Richard Reynnells
2016 Robin Keyser
2015 George Wiggans and Rich Erdman
2014 Sharon Benz
2013 Scott Lough
2012 Kristi Smedley
2011 Daniel Benz
2010 JoAnn Van Kessel
2009 H. Duane Norman
2008 Robert H. Miller
2007 Max J. Paape
2006 Anthony V. Capuco
2005 Lewis W. Smith
2004 William D. Price
2003 Barbara P. Glenn
2002 Roger J. Gerrits
2001 Vernon G. Pursel
2000 Lonnie W. Luther
1999 Gerald E. Poley
1998 Robert G. Zimbelman
1997 Leonard Slyter
1996 Lee H. Boyd
1995 Clair E. Terrill
1994 Robert R. Oltjen
1993 Theron S. Rumsey
1992 William A. Olson
1991 Jack C. Taylor
1990 Edgar P. Young