Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award

Thanks to the support of the Southwest Meat Association, AMSA is pleased to announce the Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award. This year, up to ten students will be selected for the award. In addition, the Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Honor Roll is being established to recognize all students who qualify

Please submit the Intent to Nominate form no later than January 16 , 2008. Click here for online form

All nomination materials should be submitted online no later than January 30, 2008. Click here for the nomination submission web site.

Objective

The purpose of the Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award is to recognize the hard work and achievement of the top students in animal science and food science departments across the country. These students go the extra mile of taking specialized meat science and food safety classes, maintain a good grade point average, participate in the Intercollegiate Meat Judging Program, have worked in a meat industry internship position, and/or have conducted meat science research.

Eligibility

Students from four-year institutions may apply. The student must be a junior, senior or have graduated not prior to December preceding the RMC. The AMSA Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award committee will evaluate a student’s credentials according to procedures described below. Previous award winners are not eligible to receive another award.

Students are nominated by AMSA Professional members. An AMSA member may nominate more than one student for the award.

Nature of Award

The Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award program has two levels of awards, the Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award and Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Honor Roll.  These students must be members in good standing in the American Meat Science Association. The student must be a second semester junior, senior or have graduated not earlier than December prior to the RMC.

Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Honor Roll
This award is given to an undergraduate student that has an acceptable grade point average, has written a successful letter describing their interest in meat science, and has been active in meat science specific activities. The Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award selection committee will evaluate each student’s application.  Each student that has a score of 75 points or greater will qualify for the Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Honor Roll. There is no limit to the number of undergraduate students that can apply from each institution. 

Those that qualify will be sent a certificate and their name will be placed on the Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Honor Roll.

Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award

From the pool of students that qualify for the Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Honor Roll the selection committee will choose the top students for the Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award. Up to ten students will be recognized.  If the full ten students are selected then up to two students from each institution can be considered for this top-level award otherwise one student from each institution will be considered. Students can only qualify once for this top award category.

The students receiving this top level award will receive a plaque, free registration to the Reciprocal Meat Conference, one year's membership in AMSA, and a $200 travel award. Students must be present at RMC to receive this award.

Program for Students at RMC

Recipients of awards will participate in the same activities as graduate students. They will interact with conference participants early in the week and be encouraged to attend the scientific sessions.

Nomination Format

Nominators should provide appropriate information in outline form, following the order given under Selection Criteria. Deviations from this format and order of presentation may result in disqualification. AMSA Undergraduate Award committee members will assign points.

Information for Nominator

Send nomination information by January 30, 2008 via the online submission system (http://www.meatscience.org/newawards/lognom.asp). Nomination information should include the following:

1. Cover letter from nominator including student's year in college and date of graduation
2. Student's transcript of all undergraduate work
3. Letter and current resume from the student as specified in selection criteria (below)
4. List of meat science activities as specified in selection criteria (below)
5. List of other activities as specified in selection criteria (below)

If you cannot use the online submission system, contact Debi Seymour for assistance (debis@meatscience.org) (217-356-5368).

Selection Criteria:

1. Scholarship (35%): The cumulative grade point average should be reported. Grade point average must include all college work.
2. Letter and resume from student (10%)
   • The student shall write a letter describing his/her interest in meat science, possible career choice, and their expectations from attending the RMC. Points awarded by AMSA Scholastic Award committee members will reflect the candidate's written communication skills.
3. Meat Science Activities (35%)
   • Member of an intercollegiate meat judging team, or participation in other meat judging activities i.e. contestant in department or regional contest. Organize, host, tabulate, etc. local/regional contests and/or FFA/4-H meat judging clinics and contests.
   • Rank among top 10 individuals in major contests.
   • Part-time employee/volunteer worker in university meat/muscle biology lab. Includes processing and/or meat/food quality control, chemistry, microbiology or research laboratory experience. Must include a statement of length of employment/service and what was gained from the experience.
   • Employment/internship/co-op in commercial meat processing and/or other agricultural industry. Include a statement of length of employment and what was gained from the work experience. Employment should be completed or in progress at the time the application is submitted.
   • Teaching assistant experience in meat science. Must include a statement to indicate scope and depth of assistance. This should include course titles, numbers and types of lectures/labs, and/or extension courses taught. Also tell what knowledge/skills were gained from the experience. Documentation (letter or certificate) from department head or teaching administrator is required.
   • Undergraduate research problem in meat/food science. Student should be involved in the project design and have the major responsibility for carrying it out. A statement of objective, responsibilities, methods and a brief summary of results should be included. Research must be completed before graduation.
   • Participation in Meat Science. Participation in and/or attendance at professional meetings, trade conventions, industry/short courses, extension meetings, etc. Include statements of duties and/or what was gained from the experience.
4. Other Activities (20%)
• Elected officer and/or appointed committee chair positions in student agricultural clubs/organizations.
• Elected and/or appointed officer in other university clubs, government and/or honoraries.
• Miscellaneous Activities. Membership/participation in miscellaneous campus groups/activities i.e. ag. teams, residence group, dorm, fraternity, sorority and/or off-campus activities i.e. athletics, clubs, organizations and associations.

Scoring

Nominated students will be assigned points by each Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award committee member. After points are assigned, each member will rank students.

Nominating faculty and students will be notified by March 7, 2008.