Poultry Science Students Sweep International Expo Competitions

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Members of the University of Arkansas Poultry Science Club swept first place in competitions and interviewed for jobs and internships at the International Poultry Expo in Atlanta.

The University of Arkansas Poultry Science Club and the club president swept first place honors in competitions at the 2012 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo Jan. 24-26 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Terik Jones, a senior from Green Forest, was named Student of the Year. He received a plaque and the $1,000 Frank Perdue Scholarship.

Poultry science is a major in Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

About 300 students and student clubs from 25 universities also competed in the categories of Scrapbook of the Year and Club of the Year, based on a 1,000-word essay describing the club activities. The Arkansas club won both categories.

The expo includes a College Student Career Program, in which seniors and graduate students interviewed with potential employers and underclass students interviewed for internships. In addition to interviews, students had the opportunity to learn about the many career opportunities in the poultry industry and allied industries around the world.

The U.S. Poultry and Egg Association has sponsored the College Student Career Program for more than 30 years.

Department Head Mike Kidd said, “Our poultry science majors are always excited to travel to Atlanta and attend the International Poultry Exposition, but this year the anticipation was especially high because the club worked hard all year to prepare for competition. Their efforts paid off, and I can’t be prouder of our undergraduate club, and especially Terik, who was awarded the Frank Perdue Scholarship for Student of the Year. These honors are a testament to Terik’s leadership, and the club's dedication and hard work.”