AAAP Fall 2024 Foundation President Letter

Dear AAAP Members,

The AAAP Foundation is the charitable arm of AAAP Inc with a mission to “encourage excellence and enable opportunity for those dedicated to nourishing the world with sustainable abundance of healthy poultry.”  Our AAAP Foundation has grown substantially offering a wider range and greater number of scholarships and awards to deserving students and colleagues. 

Previously our criteria to have an endowed scholarship has been $40,000 which allowed us to generate a $1500 scholarship in perpetuity; however, with the cost of education rising, we have been evaluating our endowment and giving levels in consultation with our financial advisor.  We are excited to announce that beginning in 2025 we will begin providing higher valued scholarships as the endowments grow.  Scholarships will now range from $1500 to $3500 with yearly evaluations to ensure we manage your donations appropriately and for the longevity.

• AAAP Foundation Externship Scholarships (formerly Preceptorships):  These endowments support externships for veterinary students pursuing opportunities to further their education in poultry medicine by working alongside poultry veterinarians and within poultry companies.  Deadline for applications is December 15.
  • Kenneth Eskelund is a long-established fund that has provided support to students for decades.  A new externship scholarship is currently being spearheaded by the MAM and MAHM alumni.  This will be our first named endowment since Dr. Eskelund established our externship program.
• AAAP Travel Scholarships & Awards:  These scholarships and awards are intended to assist in the funding of students to attend the AAAP Annual meeting.  We have a variety of scholarships and awards available.  Specific criteria are on the website.  Deadline for Student Travel Award applications is April 1 and Avian Biosciences Travel Scholarships is November 1.
  • We are actively fund raising to endow the following:  Avian Biosciences and AVEP Avian Bioscience Travel Scholarships for MS and PhD students.
• AAAP Foundation Poultry Scholarships:  These endowed scholarships are for veterinary students to support their education expenses. Often these endowments have come about from a grass roots efforts in that members want to honor a passion or mentors that have had a profound effect on them as students and colleagues. As of last week, we now have twelve endowed scholarships with our newest scholarship, the Karen B. Bland Memorial Scholarship becoming fully funded in record fashion-only 6 weeks.  Deadline for applications is November 1.
  • We are actively fund raising to endow the following:  Drew Parker Memorial fund and the MAHM Alumni fund.
  • In addition to the endowed scholarships, we are very fortunate to have generous donations from Merck, Cobb and Elanco in directed scholarships.

In addition to our scholarship program, AAAP Foundation as a long-standing tradition in recognizing excellence in basic and applied research, diagnostic and technical services.  Additionally, our awards programs recognize those that contribute to others through mentorship, special services awards and those that have dedicated their lives to our industry through the Hall of Honor and Life Membership recognitions. 

• I would encourage you to review the criteria for the awards and nominate those deserving colleagues.  The deadline for nominations for student awards is December 15 with remaining awards on February 15.  All awards are currently funded. 

As we go into the fall and holiday seasons, please consider the AAAP Foundation in your charitable giving.  The AAAP Giving Eggstravaganza will take place the week of October 21 and is a great opportunity to give.  Our goals are to focus on those scholarship programs that are not yet fully endowed.  One thing I have gotten to witness 1 hand this year is the generosity of our membership—in recognition of others, in monetary gifts and in service.  Lifting our colleagues and the next generation is powerful.

Lastly, thank you to everyone that has served on the AAAP BOD and committees.  None of this would be possible without your dedication.

Sincerely,

Sara Throne,

AAAP Foundation President