Science students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in poultry science will soon have a new resource to help fund their education.
The Cobb-Vantress Fellowship Endowment was announced during the August annual meeting of the Poultry Science Association (PSA) in Orlando, FL. The $250,000 gift pledge is to be paid over three years and will support students interested in attending graduate school for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in poultry science.
Cobb-Vantress president Joel Sappenfield said advanced educational opportunities are key to future advancements in poultry science.
“We recognize the critical need for talented young scientists in the poultry breeder and poultry production industries,” Sappenfield said.
The endowment is intended to support a graduate student during the two to three year academic program for a M.S. or Ph.D. degree. Preference will be given for students interested in the sciences necessary to support advancements in genetics in poultry science. The Cobb-Vantress gift pledge was made during PSA’s recent capital campaign, Charting Our Course – Securing Future Leadership for Poultry.
Cobb-Vantress pedigree geneticist Dr. Anu Frank-Lawale said the company feels privileged to have the opportunity to support the endowment.
“At Cobb-Vantress, we’re committed to encouraging future generations of young poultry professionals and helping them to achieve their greatest potential,” Frank-Lawale said.
The student recruitment process will begin when the endowment is fully established, which is expected in spring 2020. The PSA Foundation plans to announce the inaugural Cobb-Vantress Fellowship recipient during its 2020 annual meeting Louisville, KY.