AASV Foundation news
Give generously in Denver

Pig on skis jumping over mountain, caption: aim for the sky in the mile highWith the help of AASV members and industry supporters, the AASV Foundation Auction Committee hopes to soar to new heights in fundraising at the 2017 AASVF Live and Silent Auctions in Denver.

New this year, the silent auction is going electronic! The auction items are described at www.aasv.org/foundation and will be on display at the AASV Annual Meeting in Denver, but you can bid early (and often!) from your phone using the new mobile bidding app. Silent Auction bidding will close Monday evening (February 27) during the AASV Awards Reception. As usual, the live auction will be held at the conclusion of the Awards Reception.

Check out the items up for bid at www.aasv.org/foundation, download the bidding app, and support the foundation by participating in the auction – even if you’re not going to be at the meeting in Denver.

Since all of the auction items have been donated, the maximum value of each winning bid will support AASV Foundation programs, including swine research, scholarships, swine externship grants, support for members pursuing board certification in the American College of Animal Welfare, travel stipends for veterinary students, tuition grants at the Swine Medicine Education Center, Heritage videos, and more!

Thank you for supporting the foundation with your auction donations and bids!

Research proposals sought for funding in 2017

As part of its mission to fund research with direct application to the profession, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation seeks research proposals for funding in 2017. Proposals are due January 16, 2017, and may request a maximum of $30,000 (US$) per project. A maximum of $60,000 will be awarded across two or more projects. The announcement of projects selected for funding will take place at the AASV Foundation Luncheon in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday, February 26, 2017 (awardees will be notified in advance).

Proposed research should fit one of the five action areas stated in the AASV Foundation Mission Statement (see sidebar).

The instructions for submitting proposals are available on the AASV Foundation Web site at https://www.aasv.org/ foundation/2017/research.php. Proposals may be submitted by mail or e-mail (preferred).

A panel of AASV members will evaluate and select proposals for funding, on the basis of the following scoring system:

  • Potential benefit to swine veterinarians/swine industry (40 points)
  • Probability of success within timeline (35 points)
  • Scientific/investigative quality (15 points)
  • Budget justification (5 points)
  • Originality (5 points)

For more information, or to submit a proposal:

AASV Foundation, 830 26th Street, Perry, IA 50220-2328; Tel: 515-465-5255; Fax: 515-465-3832; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org.

Swine veterinarians invited to apply for Hogg Scholarship

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation is pleased to offer the Hogg Scholarship, established to honor the memory of longtime AASV member and swine industry leader Dr Alex Hogg. Applications for the $10,000 scholarship will be accepted until February 1, 2017, and the scholarship recipient will be announced on Sunday, February 26, during the Foundation Luncheon at the AASV 2017 Annual Meeting in Denver.

The intent of the scholarship is to assist a swine veterinarian in his or her efforts to return to school for graduate education (resulting in a master’s degree or higher) in an academic field of study related to swine health and production.

Dr Alex Hogg’s career serves as the ideal model for successful applicants. After 20 years in mixed-animal practice, Dr Hogg pursued a master’s degree in veterinary pathology. He subsequently became Nebraska swine extension veterinarian and professor at the University of Nebraska. Upon “retirement,” Dr Hogg capped off his career with his work for MVP Laboratories. Always an enthusiastic learner, at age 75 he graduated from the Executive Veterinary Program offered at the University of Illinois.

The scholarship application requirements are outlined below, and on the AASV Web site at http://www.aasv.org/foundation/hoggscholarship.htm.

Hogg Scholarship application requirements

An applicant for the Hogg Scholarship shall have

  1. Five or more years of experience as a swine veterinarian, either in a private practice or in an integrated production setting; and
  2. Five or more years of continuous membership in the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.

Applicants are required to submit the following for consideration as a Hogg Scholar:

  1. Current curriculum vitae,
  2. Letter of intent detailing his or her plans for graduate education and future plans for participation and employment within the swine industry, and
  3. Two letters of reference from AASV members attesting to the applicant’s qualifications to be a Hogg Scholar.

Applications and requests for information may be addressed to AASV Foundation, 830 26th Street, Perry, IA 50220-2328; Tel: 515-465-5255; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org.