i22-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 28,2001 A! Student Recruitment Theme Of Penn State Ag Council Meeting MICHELLE RANCK Lancaster Farming Staff STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) “One of the greatest chal lenges facing us is ensuring a pipeline of students coming into the program. The leadership we have tomorrow and the years ahead depends on the flow of students from this institution and others,” said Robert Steele, dean of the Penn State College of Ag ricultural sciences. During a Penn State Agricul tural Council meeting recently, delegates from agriculture organ izations gave input, ideas, and suggestions on student recruit ment to representatives of the College of Agricultural Sciences. A previous session with the Council yielded ideas and sug gestions for improve and change the ongoing process, Steele said. Recruitment Is Everyone’s Responsibility Jim Mortensen, associate dean for undergraduate programs, provided statistics about recent changes in the student body of the College of Agricultural Sci ences. From 1985 to 1995, enroll ment grew and peaked; however, the college has experienced de creases of various proportions since then. “We’ve also seen sig nificant shifts in students’ choic es of majors,” said Mortensen. In 1995, for example, 57 per cent of Agricultural Sciences stu dents were environmental and natural resource majors, a num ber which has decreased to 33 percent today. The trend is to ward animal sciences and ag pro duction majors. In 1995 one out of five students had one of those majors while one out of three students are today. 3iuy. the 9ie»t Steel Olacpng, d Sidmp Grandrib 3 9 PLUS Buy the Best from A company that only sells Quality. All this adds up t 0... Grandrib 3® PLUS is backed by an industry leading: 35 Year Sidewall & 30 Year Roof Paint Warranty 25 Year Sidewall Corrosion Warranty 20 Year Roofing Corrosion Warranty 10 Year Edge Rust Warranty 717-866-6581 761 E. Linden St. Richland, PA 17887 Marianne Fivek, assistant to the dean for student recruitment and activities, reported on the college’s efforts since the last meeting. “Recruitment is everyone’s re sponsibility,” said Fivek. “To gether we work to get the mes sage that agricultural sciences provides a world of opportunity out.” A few of the action points es tablished at faculty meetings in clude changing the image of the college of agricultural sciences, publicizing salaries and job op portunities, networking with high schools, being visible at statewide events, and developing a Webpage specifically for pro spective students. Efforts that pay off, said Fivek, are tours, stayovers, and open houses which bring pro spective students to the universi ty. In addition recruitment ef forts include planning visits for high schools, youth groups, and individual families. The Pennsyl vania Governor’s School, a five week term of undergraduate re search, attracts 50 percent of the participants to Penn State. “If we can get a prospective student on campus, we have a better chance of getting them to apply and accept their offer,” said Fivek. To end her presentation, Fivek showed a 13-minute video high lighting features of the College of Agricultural Sciences which will be shown to prospective students. The university’s second great est challenge, said Fivek, is offer ing attractive freshman schol arships. Fivek cited several examples of other institutions of- Complete Building Packages, Trusses And Glue-Laminated Timbers MS&gR > <. s <. <s• «***< RIGIDPLY... Speakers during the morning session of the council meeting included, from left, James Mortensen, associate dean for undergraduate programs; Earl Fink, board mem ber of Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders; Walter Peechatka, executive vice president, PennAg Industries Association; Jana Malot, district conservationist for NRCS, Fulton County, representing the Soil and Water Conservation Society; Robert Steele, dean, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences; Marianne Fivek, assistant to the dean for student recruitment and activities; and Dean Girton, Ag Council president. fering big-dollar scholarships which help to lure students. Delegate Presentations To help introduce a few of the members involved in the Coun cil, each year a few delegates in troduce their organizations dur ing the meeting. Opening this year’s introductions was Earl Fink, representing Pennsylvania Dairy Stockholders. k ’ ' f.* s JfHe Best Metal IQ Layers af Protection Up to 50% Stronger Thicker 29Gm*& jet-iJrr V / '3S%-.59Yq 301-334-3977 1283 Joni Miller Rd. Oakland, MD 21550 The organization, said Fink, was formed to provide cohesive leadership in the Pennsylvania dairy industry. Beginning in 1992 the group hosted several conferences and officially organ ized in 1997. Members include producers, processors, retail personnel, food handlers, and government repre sentatives. The group includes 13 people on the board and more than 950 people on the mailing list. Programs and efforts include videos and brochures, the Pace setter Award, and the Business Planning Assistance Program, which connects experts with dairy producers to develop a business plan for the farm. “One of the best features of the group,” v Call Us For Your Nearest Dealer! LEBANON VALLEY ENTERPRISES, INC. Manufacturing * Powder Coating • Precast RO. Box 187, Myerstown, PA 17067 • (717) 866-2030 said Fink, “is that it enables vari ous segments of the industry to sit down and civilly discuss the issues to move the industry for ward.” Walter Peechatka, executive vice president of PennAg Indus tries Association, summarized the organization’s efforts since 1878, when the group was first formed. In 1996 the board amended bylaws to create coun cils. These councils will help con solidate the agriaulture industry r said Peechatka. In 1997 the first council was created. In 1998 the Pennsylva nia Poultry Federation became the second council. Additional councils also include swine and (Turn to Page A 23)
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