Press Release – 7/11/07

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Contact:

Nathan May, Ph.D.
President
Nathan May Communications, Inc.
212-399-4036
nathan@nathanmaycommunications.com
James W. Kessler, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Poultry Science Association
951-677-0069
jamesk@assochq.org

FUNDING THE FUTURE OF POULTRY SCIENCE:

THE POULTRY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES AROUND PSA's SAN ANTONIO AND CENTENNIAL MEETINGS

Funds to Support Activities Including Poultry Education, Research and Lectureships

The PSA Foundation Centennial Art Auction Opens Website for Bids

SAVOY, IL (July 11, 2007) – The Poultry Science Association Foundation (the Foundation), a charitable corporation affiliated with the Poultry Science Association (PSA), today detailed fundraising activities targeting the upcoming Joint Annual Meeting in San Antonio, and beyond, in preparation for PSA's Centennial in 2008.

The Foundation's function is to help secure private financial support for a number of PSA-related activities, including: scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students; targeted faculty initiatives that benefit the poultry industry and PSA; symposia and conferences; and lectureships that address specific issues or concerns of particular importance to the global poultry community.

Dr. James Denton, Professor Emeritus, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science-University of Arkansas, who heads the Foundation, said: “One of the many benefits of the Foundation is that it helps provide a sustainable and targeted base of support for basic research that addresses long-term issues relating to the industry, which enables researchers to more securely pursue research programs with longer timelines.”

Planned Fundraising in San Antonio

According to Dr. Denton, the Foundation has a number of activities scheduled for raising funding for the Foundation over the next 12 months, beginning at the upcoming Joint Annual meeting in San Antonio, July 9-13.

  • Quilt Raffle – A beautiful chicken-themed, handmade quilt will be raffled off in San Antonio. Designed and crafted by Marion Moore, the quilt won Best in Show at the Hall County Quilt Guild in October 2006. A picture of the quilt is available at http://www.poultryscience.org/raffle.asp. Tickets are $5 each, or five for $20, and are available from PSA by contacting marys@assochq.org. Tickets will also be available in San Antonio. (Please contact Mary Swenson or Janet Fulton.)
  • Online Auction – The Foundation will conduct a live, online auction from PSA's website for several rare items that have been donated to the Foundation. The PSA Foundation Centennial Art Auction website (http://www.poultryscience.org/foundationauction2007.asp) opens today, July 11. Participants will have one year to bid on the items, with winning bidders announced at the 2008 Centennial Meeting in Niagara Falls.
  • Auction items, with based bidding ranges, will include:

    • Tom Whiting Display-Taxidermy of Chickens Used for Fly Tying in Glass Cabinet Display Case: Donor-Artist Tom Whiting ($2,500).
    • Carved Ostrich Egg with PSA logo commemorating the 2008 Centennial: Donor-Artist Alan Rabon ($900).
    • Table size University of Arkansas Poultry Center Chicken Bronze: Artist-William Turner; Donor- Tyson Foods, Don Tyson ($2,500).
    • Framed Watercolor Chicken, Artist-Brenda K. McDaniel, Donor:-Cobb-Vantress, John Hardiman ($3,200)
    • Stained Glass Window Art Chicken, Artist-Lin McJunkin, Donor-Aviagen Group, Jim McKay ($4,000).
    • Art Quilt (48” x 60”), Artist-Judy Wangemann, Donor: Novus, Tara Walsh York ($2,400).
    • Turkey Wall Hanging: Donor-Wayne & Kim Kuenzel, University of Arkansas ($1,600).

    Donors for the auction's web-site, professional photography and art auction brochures are:

    • Sponsor for Art Auction Web Site – Catherine Ricks
    • Sponsor for professional photography for items in Art Auction – Janet Fulton, Hy-Line
    • Sponsor for the printing costs associated with the PSA Art Auction Brochures – University of Arkansas Center of Excellence for Poultry Science.

Merial Distinguished Award

In addition to the above activities, Merial will be awarding its first annual Merial Distinguished Award at this year's PSA meeting in San Antonio. Each year, Merial will donate a check to the Foundation on behalf of that year's winner. This year's Merial Distinguished Award winner is Dr. Kenneth N. May. A check in Dr. May's name for $2,000 will be contributed to the Foundation.

PSA President Dr. Andrew Giesen said: “The PSA Foundation's work is important and complements our organization's work in many ways, particularly in furthering educational opportunities for students interested in careers in poultry. The Foundation is also helping PSA encourage and support basic scientific discovery, and to disseminate the knowledge required to maintain a viable poultry industry. On behalf of PSA, we thank the Foundation for its many good works and are excited about its efforts, on behalf of poultry scientists, students, and the industry.”

About PSA

The Poultry Science Association (PSA) is a global scientific society dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge generated by poultry research – knowledge that enhances human and animal health and well-being and provides for the ethical, sustainable, and economical production of food. Founded in 1908, PSA has a global membership of about 3,500. For more information, go to www.poultryscience.org.