Animal Science Teaching and Research Facilities
BUILDING ON THE BEST
HEAD
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erry College’s time-tested “education of the head, heart, and hands” combines intellectual skills and practical skills in a way that shapes people known for their
work ethic, character, and readiness for the challenges of life. Our demanding academic programs rival those of many of the nation’s finest liberal arts colleges, and our voluntary student work
HEART
program is the largest and most sophisticated of its type in the nation. We teach responsibility by giving responsibility and seek to graduate engaged citizens who are ready, willing, and able to improve their families, workplaces, and world.
HANDS
Shannon Stroubakis Photography
Rob Brock didn’t grow up on a farm, but you wouldn’t know it listening to him discuss challenges and opportunities within his industry. For 36 years, he has cultivated a successful career from seeds planted as an animal science/business major at Berry.
ROB BROCK (’83) “It’s easy to make the case for opportunities in agriculture. I’m glad to see that Berry understands that and is trying to address it.”
“Berry was the perfect storm for a guy who didn’t really have any experience or education but needed both,” said the president of Westway Feed Products LLC, North America’s largest manufacturer of liquid supplements for livestock. “I just had so much hands-on help at Berry, so many people who were engaged with me as a person and were interested in helping me. The class sizes were small, and I got a lot of personal attention from my professors.” Pursuing what he now refers to as an “accelerated program of animal science and agriculture,” Rob learned everything he could through his classes and work in the college’s large-animal facilities. By the time he took his first job with Purina – after an internship arranged through Berry mentors Luther Miller, then manager of the Rollins Beef Research Center, and Dr. Allen Scott – he was well prepared for a career in the industry. While Berry’s animal science program has evolved in the years since Rob’s 1983 graduation, hands-on experience, small classes, and strong mentoring relationships with staff and faculty remain hallmarks. As the college prepares to build on the program’s foundational strengths, Rob foresees tremendous opportunities for graduates in his industry and others.
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BEST OF BREED A robust academic curriculum, abundant opportunities for hands-on, job-relevant work experience, and an intentional emphasis on undergraduate research have fueled the rapid growth of animal science as Berry College’s largest and most distinctive major. Despite being housed in an outdated facility separate from Berry’s academic core, dedicated animal science faculty members have proven adept at maximizing available resources – chief among them Berry’s incomparable 27,000-acre campus and an impressive array of large-animal facilities one would not expect to find in a residential liberal arts setting.
Associate Professor of Animal Science Dr. Sunday Peters (left) collaborated with an international team of researchers to develop a heartier breed of chicken for Nigerian farmers to help feed the local population.
These talented teachers and scientists boast a stellar record of preparing students for the rigors of veterinary medical school and other advanced degree programs such as genetics, poultry science, public health, immunology, reproductive physiology, nutrition, human health sciences (M.D. and P.A.), and business. They also conduct ambitious research of their own in a wide variety of areas including animal health, food production, animal reproduction, genetics, nutrition, physiology and behavior, wildlife damage management, and interaction of wildlife and livestock – often involving students in their work. Notably, more than one-third of 2019 program graduates gained research experience in close collaboration with a faculty member during their years at Berry. In 2018-19 alone, 15 animal science students co-authored papers or presentations with faculty members for regional, national, and international meetings.
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187%
increase in animal science majors since 2004
Given the formidable acceptance rate of Berry applicants to the nation’s 30 accredited veterinary schools (86% in the last decade, and 98% for those with a GPA of 3.3 or higher), it's not surprising that program enrollment has more than doubled since 2004, from 79 to 227 majors. This growth coincides with increased public demand for high quality and locally grown food and a national emphasis on math and science education. In recent years, pre-veterinary/pre-professional science has been complemented by a production/management degree track. This enhanced curriculum provides maximum flexibility for students wishing to pursue animal-related careers, including jobs in the pharmaceutical and thoroughbred industries, poultry production, agriculture education and support, and beef cattle/dairy operations management, among other areas. While impressive, the program’s growth and success have fully exposed the limitations of the cramped and outdated classrooms and laboratories of the Lamar Westcott Building, a former laundry and food-processing facility built in 1955. In the following pages, we will detail plans to provide animal science students with the type of state-of-the-art learning environment necessary to facilitate further development of this high-performing program. We will also introduce some of the people who have already benefited from our one-of-a-kind educational experience – alumni who represent the true promise and potential of animal science at Berry.
98%
veterinary school acceptance rate for Berry students with a 3.3 GPA or better since 2009-10
171
veterinary school acceptances since 2009-10, an average of 17 per year
144
students employed annually in animal science-related on-campus work positions
47%
of fall 2018 animal science majors hailing from states other than Georgia
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DR. SHEILA ALLEN Senior Accreditation Advisor, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges Retired Dean, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
Marketing & Communications, University of Georgia
Berry College Trustee
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“I first became familiar with Berry during my tenure as a faculty member and dean of the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In that role, I could not help but take note of how well qualified and prepared the students from Berry were when they enrolled in veterinary college. Talking to colleagues at other veterinary schools, I found that others shared that high opinion. “The academic preparation of these students is exceptional – a product of years of 1-to-1 interaction with Berry faculty – but what really sets them apart is their work ethic. They have obviously learned by doing through the many work experiences available at Berry’s animal facilities. Berry students develop an appreciation for the value of hard work, and the experiences they gain in the classrooms, laboratories, and work-study opportunities prepare them well for the challenges of veterinary school. Berry students also collaborate well with others, which is a skill so critical in leading and managing a veterinary medical health care team.”
NABILAH’S STORY Nabilah Curtis ( ́19) knew Berry College was the place for her the moment she witnessed a sheep being born during a campus visit, realizing “there was no other college where I was going to have this kind of experience on a regular basis.” Within two weeks of her arrival as a freshman, she was vaccinating sheep and palpating cows. So began an experience-rich undergraduate education culminating in acceptance to her “dream school” – the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Nabilah thrived in Berry’s small classes and labs, gained new perspective on possible career paths through experience in the college’s large-animal facilities, and honed valuable laboratory skills studying the effectiveness of the amino acid citrulline in encouraging faster growth rates in sheep. She graduated confident in her preparation and excited to one day pursue a career providing veterinary services in high-need communities.
“Berry has given me so many resources, and I’m excited to share them – for the good of animals and the people who own them.”
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BUILDING TO DISTINCTION Ours is a two-step approach that will put Berry’s Animal Science program into a class of its own. Each facility reflects the increased importance of laboratory science in the major and expands opportunities for students to conduct research with faculty – the highest form of experience for those who plan careers in the sciences. Already, donors to the LifeReady Campaign have funded construction of a 4,600-square-foot field laboratory (pictured) adjacent to the college’s Rollins Ruminant Research Center, providing valuable space for research activity and facilitating learning via direct animal contact in close proximity to the college’s sheep, beef, and dairy herds. Next is a 23,000-square-foot classroom and laboratory building to be located adjacent to the existing McAllister Hall science center. This $15.7 million facility is designed specifically for laboratory-based activities such as courses in veterinary microbiology and reproductive physiology, as well as to facilitate and enhance research involving faculty and students.
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FROM ANIMAL SCIENCE TO DENTISTRY Kevin Shepherd came to Berry with the dream of becoming a vet. When his dream changed, he thought he’d have to change his major too, but Professor of Animal Science Dr. Jay Daniel helped him see the value of staying the course. Today, he’s glad he listened. A 2014 graduate who recently earned a doctorate in dental medicine with distinction in research, Kevin credits Berry’s rigorous academics, rich clinical experiences, and emphasis on hard work and integrity with laying the foundation for his success. “A Berry professor once told me the classes are hard to prepare me for the rigors of vet school or professional school,” he recalled. “It definitely helped. I graduated dental school in the top 10% of my class.” In addition, the program’s emphasis on hands-on experience helped Kevin achieve competence and confidence performing a host of medical procedures much sooner than most of his peers at The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University.
Kevin Shepherd (top) performs a dental procedure during a mission trip.
“Berry’s animal science program allowed me to be in clinical situations from day one. Because I already had so much experience working on animals, when I had to do procedures on people, it was a very small transition.”
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■ An unparalleled campus with 27,000 acres of forests, fields,
and wetlands teeming with wildlife
■ Outstanding herds of award-winning Jersey and registered
Angus beef cattle, commercial beef cattle, and horses of various breeds, as well as a large flock of hair sheep
■ Faculty members who distinguish themselves as teachers first
POWERFULLY POSITIONED
and foremost, but also as scientists, publishing their work in peer- reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences ■ Commitment by faculty to involve and mentor students in research projects, thus challenging them with the highest level of learning and scientific inquiry ■ Gold Standard Dairy recognition by the Dairy Farmers of America
■ An innovative curriculum with two distinct areas of focus:
one for students interested in veterinary medicine or other graduate programs and another for students drawn to careers in animal industries, including those who work to ensure that production animals are raised in humane and healthy settings
■ An equine center that is home to a three-time national
champion varsity equestrian team and a small Quarter Horse breeding program
■ “The Berry Farms” student-run agricultural enterprises,
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including dairy, beef, and egg operations selling wholesome products locally and a Jersey cow genetics enterprise with international connections
DR. CHRISTINA PETZINGER GERMAIN (’09) Research Nutritionist, Nestle Purina Petcare Ph.D., Nutrition, Texas A&M University
“My experiences at Berry helped to build my confidence to pursue becoming a scientist and animal researcher. In graduate school, I was able to switch from the master’s track to the Ph.D. track in part due to my understanding of research design and successful completion of research studies.”
DR. ELIZABETH CALLAHAN CLEMMONS (’08) Assistant Veterinarian/Assistant Professor, Southwest National Primate Research Center of Texas Biomedical Research Institute D.V.M., University of Georgia; Diplomate, American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine
“While at Berry, I had the opportunity to conduct a summer research project involving goats and sheep. I presented data from this project at a national scientific meeting. Participating in research while also caring for animal health and welfare was a valuable introduction to what ultimately became the focus of my veterinary career.”
DR. MERIDITH DAWSON (’06) Owner and Founder, Blue Door (Mobile) Veterinary Services, Portland, Ore.
George Gill
D.V.M., Ohio State University
“The most important part of my Berry experience was the class sizes and hands-on opportunities. Having the chance to palpate cows, vaccinate horses, wrestle sheep, and so much more in the first couple of semesters and throughout my undergraduate years was instrumental in engaging my interest in the animal sciences and keeping me on the path toward veterinary school. The encouragement I received from animal science staff to keep working in the on-campus barns and departments and to keep learning outside of class also helped expose me to things that gave me a 'leg up' on many of my veterinary school classmates.”
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CREATING A NEXUS FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION Berry College has experienced a renaissance in the sciences since the 2001 opening of McAllister Hall. With its greatly enhanced laboratory facilities, the new animal science addition will further this growth by enabling state-of-the-art investigations by faculty and students in the areas of genetics, microbiology, and physiology, promoting scientific advances in animal production, treatment, and health, all while preserving the “esprit de corps” that has always been a program strength. Furthermore, proximity with faculty in other disciplines will facilitate “in the hall” discussions leading to collaboration in areas such as “One Health,” an emerging focus involving researchers in a variety of fields including biology, biochemistry, mathematics, and animal science. Berry is the first college in the nation to develop a One Health program tailored specifically to undergraduates, and its expansive campus – with its mix of wildlife and livestock – provides an unrivaled "field station" for investigating the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The new building’s location in the college’s academic core will also strengthen connections between animal science students and learning resources such as the Campbell School of Business and Berry’s entrepreneurial hub. This will fuel the ambition of students like Ben Umberger, an animal science minor who won the top prize in Berry’s first donor-funded pitch competition, earning $11,000 to support the cattle company he founded at age 11.
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Architectural concept
Architectural concept
A TEACHING AND RESEARCH FACILITY WITH TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL ■ Two 40-seat “Technology Enabled Active Learning”
classrooms and one 60-seat tiered classroom
■ Four specialized teaching labs ■ Four research labs, including a large, collaborative
laboratory space for use by all animal science faculty members and their student assistants
■ Faculty offices and student workspaces
■ Common areas to promote interaction among faculty,
staff, and students across the sciences
■ High-efficiency HVAC system, chemical fume hoods,
and LED lighting
■ Sustainable design elements that will help minimize
the building’s environmental footprint while also providing a healthier work and learning space for students and faculty
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EXISTING BUILDING
MC ALLISTER HALL ADDITION – FIRST LEVEL
Architectural concept
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EXISTING BUILDING
MC ALLISTER HALL ADDITION – SECOND LEVEL
Architectural concept
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“Micah’s got a very strong work ethic and a strong sense of responsibility. He’s not going to stop working if something critical needs to get done. It’s his work ethic, combined with his sense of ownership and pride in his work, that’s most important. He also knows a lot about a lot of different things.” Wes Walraven
Co-owner of Lyons Bridge Farm, speaking
of Micah Studdard, the farm manager he hired fresh out of Berry in 2014. Walraven has since hired two other products of Berry’s animal science program (pictured below), praising them as hardworking, well educated, trustworthy, and humble.
ABOVE: Micah Studdard LEFT (left to right): Bryson Lamboy (’20),
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Micah Studdard (’14), Savannah Norman (’18), Wes Walraven
MICAH’S STORY When Wes Walraven reached out to his Berry contacts seeking a manager for his farm, he expected them to recommend an experienced graduate. Instead, they suggested Micah Studdard ( 1 ́ 4), then a senior in the production/management track of the college’s animal science program. Walraven was skeptical, but agreed to interview the young candidate; Micah was hired on the spot.
“At Berry, you get both the academic learning and the experience so you can go into the workplace with both and start higher.” Leveraging natural mechanical ability and a passion for cattle breeding acquired through his work with Berry’s Angus Beef student enterprise, Micah has led development of the farm property – now covering more than 1,300 acres, with 200 additional acres of leased pasture – and establishment of a herd of 700 fine registered breeding cattle. Making the most of the knowledge and skills he gained at Berry, he personally handles artificial insemination of cattle, vaccinations, and other veterinary care, among his many responsibilities. He maintains regular contact with his Berry mentors and praises the “hands-on” education he received.
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"I worked as many hours as I could on campus at as many jobs as I could, all because I loved it. I loved learning something new every time I walked into a barn or walked up beside a chute. Every day there was a new crisis or task that needed to be tackled, and our supervisors did not just go take care of it themselves – they took us with them and helped us figure out what to do. "Berry also helped me because of its varied classes and liberal arts education. While I was lambing out sheep at all hours of the night, I was also attending philosophy and religion classes during the day. You do not realize how invaluable those classroom experiences are until you get out into the real world and realize how many people do not know how to think past themselves. Berry teaches you that. Berry teaches you about service and caring about others. Berry gives you experience. Period.”
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Kat Weinert Photography
“My time at Berry was invaluable to my graduate program and leading me to my future career. Looking back at my time there, the most meaningful experiences at Berry came in my work outside of class.
DR. ALISON CRANE (’12) Assistant Professor, Sheep and Meat Goat Extension Specialist Kansas State University M.S., Ruminant Nutrition, and Ph.D., Reproductive Physiology North Dakota State University
PLEASE JOIN US At Berry College, we ask our students to do their best. They deserve the best from us. That means providing the kind of places and spaces that spur student achievement – facilities that help our students reach higher and see farther. New animal science facilities are a major component of the overarching LifeReady Campaign, which is focused on preparing Berry College students to graduate ready, willing, and able to improve their families, workplaces, and world. We hope you will support our efforts to further enhance an already stellar program producing exceptional, proven LifeReady results. For more information, please contact Scott Breithaupt, associate vice president for advancement, at sbreithaupt@berry.edu or 706-238-5897. Visit berry.edu/gift to make a commitment online.
THANK YOU.
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P.O. Box 490069 Mount Berry, GA 30149-0069 706.236.2253 or 877.461.0039 FAX 706.236.1700 www.berry.edu/LifeReady