245
Development of a Scholarship Program to Support Future Swine Professionals
Development of the next generation of swine leaders is critical to the continued success of the US swine industry. The purpose of the National Pork Board’s Pork Industry Scholarship program is to provide assistance to individuals who have made a commitment to the swine industry and who intend to continue their education through attainment of an advanced degree either through enrollment in a graduate program or a school of veterinary medicine. Since its inception in 2006 there have been 99 scholarships awarded to students from 23 different institutions. In order to assess the success of this program, a survey was conducted of recipients from 2006 and 2008 during the summer of 2013. The interview was conducted via email with follow-up via telephone. Respondents filled out and returned a questionnaire; the answers to that questionnaire were used to update contact information and record their accomplishments and involvement in the pork production industry. In 2006 there were a total of 25 scholarships awarded to students from 12 different institutions of higher education. There were a total of 20 respondents to the survey (80%) with one receiving DVM, five completing MS and seven completing or working towards completion of their PhD. All of the respondents (100%) are directly involved in agriculture as either a career or field of study with 86% being specifically involved in some facet of the pork production industry. In 2008 there were a total of 19 scholarships awarded to students representing 10 different institutions of higher education. A total of 13 recipients responded to the survey (68% response rate) with two DVM, three MS and one PhD. All of the respondents from the 2008 class (100%) remain involved in agriculture and 53% of respondents are specifically involved in the pork production industry. The results of this survey indicate that this program is successful in identifying and supporting individuals who will be in leadership positions in the pork production industry. The scholarship data base will be updated annually through this survey tool so that the success of this program can continue to be assessed.
Keywords: Pork Industry Scholarship