ACADEMICS
Block and Bridle Club Receives National Awards
Pictured in the front row from left to right: Jessica McLain, a senior majoring in animal science; Sarah Gilmer, a junior majoring in animal science; Sarah Barlow, a sophomore majoring in animal science; Charley Stull, a junior majoring in animal science; and Micah Pugh, a senior majoring in animal science and agricultural and applied economics. Pictured in the back row from left to right: Nicole Jasinski, a senior majoring in animal science; Sarah Parsley, a senior majoring in animal science and agricultural and applied economics; Allison Osborne, a junior majoring in dairy science; Andy Gibson a sophomore majoring in animal science; Dixie Boyd, a sophomore majoring in animal science; and Dara Neal, a senior majoring in animal science.
The Virginia Tech Block and Bridle Club was recognized for its outstanding achievements at the 86th National Block and Bridle Convention held at Ohio State University in October. The Tech club returned to Blacksburg with five national awards.
The club received first place for the club yearbook, second place for the club scrapbook, and fifth place in both the chapter activities and club website competitions. In addition, Rebecca Funkhouser, a senior in animal and poultry sciences, received third place in the outstanding junior competition.
Cindy Wood, associate professor of animal and poultry sciences and Block and Bridle Club advisor, was inducted as President of the National Block and Bridle Organization. Having already completed four years as secretary/treasurer, she will continue to lead the organization during her two-year term as president.
The Virginia Tech Block and Bridle Club has been a tradition within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since 1931, when dedicated college students and professors created the club in order to help serve and promote the field of animal agriculture. This club of both two and four-year students of various majors has grown to become one of the largest, most active organizations on campus. For more information about the club, visit The Block and Bridle website.
The Virginia Tech Dairy Cattle Judging Team finished another great year with a first, second, and seventh place showing at the Eastern States, All-American, and World Dairy Expo contests, respectively. Team member Aaron Cornman, a junior dairy science major, led the team, earning High Individual Overall honors at the Eastern States and World Expo Contests. Pictured from left to right: Herby D. Lutz, American Jersey Cattle Association; students Tracy Webb, Street, Md.; Natalie Keene, Canton, Maine; Aaron Cornman, Boiling Springs, Pa.; and Greta Moyer, Manns Choice, Pa.; and coaches Katharine Knowlton and Michael Barnes.