AboutDistinguished PAS Award

Distinguished PAS Award

Call for Nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Professional Animal Scientist Award

The ARPAS Distinguished Professional Animal Scientist Award is presented annually to one or more emeritus members of ARPAS who have made outstanding contributions to the field of animal science during their careers and have held leadership roles within the organization.

All ARPAS members are encouraged to make nominations! With approval from the ARPAS Governing Council, the ARPAS Executive Committee will make the final selection. 

Submit Nomination

The deadline for nominations is June 13, 2025.

Award recipients will receive a plaque, be recognized with an article in the newsletter, and be given a tribute at our annual business meeting. They will also be granted ARPAS lifetime membership with emeritus privileges.

We have presented 34 ARPAS leaders with this award since its inception in 2008. The previous Distinguished Professional Animal Scientist award recipients can be viewed here.

Thank you for your nominations!

David K. Beede
Editor-in-Chief of Applied Animal Science

Kenneth R. Cummings
ARPAS Executive Vice President (2008–2021)
ARPAS President (2003–2004)
ARPAS PAACO Representative (2004–2005)
ARPAS Northeast Regional Director/Publications Committee Chair (2001–2002)

M.J. Moe Bakke
ARPAS Secretary (2014–2020)
Western Director (2009–2010)
ARPAS Foundation Committee Member (2008–Present)
“Bakke has served ARPAS for over 35 years as a member, director, national officer, and chair of several committees of ARPAS and the ARPAS Foundation.”

D. Scott Lough
Washington DC Area Chapter Director-at-Large, President-Elect, President, Past President, Treasurer (over the course of 6 years)
Recipient of the Dr. Vernon G. Pursel Memorial Distinguished Service Award in 2013

Richard S. Sellers
Washington DC Chapter Director-at-Large, President-Elect, President, and Past President
Recipient of the Dr. Vernon G. Pursel Memorial Distinguished Service Award in 2018

Carl Hunt
ARPAS Treasurer (2008–2015)
Western Director (2004–2007)
ASAS Representative (2006–2009)
PNW Chapter Treasurer (2012–2018) and currently on the PNW scholarship committee
Charter diplomat of the American College of Animal Nutrition (1995)

Robin Keyser
Washington DC Chapter Secretary (2010–Present)
Recipient of the Dr. Vernon G. Pursel Memorial Distinguished Service Award in 2016

Richard D. Reynnells
Washington DC Chapter Director-at-Large (2014–2016), President-Elect (2016-2017), and President (2017–2018) 
Recipient of the Dr. Vernon G. Pursel Memorial Distinguished Service Award in 2017

Gary T. Lane
President 1999–2000

Sharon Benz
Washington DC Chapter President and Distinguished Member Award

Keith Lusby
President (2000–2001)
Treasurer (2005–2008)
So. Director (1995–1997)

Lee Shell
President (1997–1998)
Treasurer (1993–1996)

Gerald Poley
Washington DC Area Chapter President-Elect, President, Past-President, and Director-at-Large
In 1999, Poley received the Distinguished Service Award from the Washington DC Area Chapter of ARPAS.

Lonnie W. Luther
Northeast Director (1991–1993)
Washington DC Area Chapter President-Elect, President, Past-President, and Director-at-Large
Received the Distinguished Service Award from the Washington DC Area Chapter in 2000

David Ames
President (1998–1999)
ASAS Representative (2004–2006)

William A. Olson
Cofounded the Washington DC Area Chapter
Washington DC Area Chapter President-Elect, President, Past-President, and Director-at-Large
Received the Distinguished Service Award from the Washington DC Area Chapter in 1992

Arthur P. Raun
President (1995–1996)
Midwest Director (1992–1994)

Gary Potter
President (1996–1997)
Board of Directors (1991–1998)

Bill Price
Northeast Director (2004–2007)
Historian 
Washington DC Area Chapter Treasurer, President-Elect, President, Past-President, and Director-at-Large
In 2004, Price received the Distinguished Service Award from the Washington DC Area Chapter of ARPAS

Wayne Kellogg
President (1994–1995)
Editor-in-Chief of the Professional Animal Scientist (2009–2017)

Leonard Bull
President (1988–1989)
Southern Director (1984–1985)
ASAS Representative (1991–1997)

Raymond Hinders (posthumously awarded)
ACAN Executive Committee (1995–1998)
Western Director (1998–2001)
ADSA Representative (2006–2010)

Vernon G. Pursel (posthumously awarded)
Pursel was instrumental in the Washington DC Area Chapter since its formation in 1986.
He held all of the officer positions within the chapter and was the 2001 recipient of the Chapter’s Distinguished Service Award

Dean E. Hodge
President (1991–1992)

Robert Totusek
President (1992–1993)

Lee H. Boyd 
President (1989–1990) 

Irv Omtvedt
President (1986–1987)

James L. Williamson
President (1987–1988)

Walter R. Woods
President (1984–1985)

Bill Baumgardt
First Executive Director of ARPAS (1999–2002) 
Implemented many of the successful programs and policies that shaped ARPAS as we know it today

Dick Frahm
ARPAS Secretary (1989–1993)
Southern Director (1988–1990)
Executive Vice President (2002–2007)

Virgil Hays
Hays was instrumental in the formation of ARPAS
President (1985–1986)

Connie Kercher
Western Director of ARPAS (1984–1987)
President (1993–1994)

James Oldfield
President (1993–1994)
Editor-in-Chief of the Professional Animal Scientist (1993–1996)

Wayne Perry
Served ARPAS from its founding in 1984 until 2004
Editor In Chief of the Professional Animal Scientist (1984-1988)
Secretary (1984-1989) 
Treasurer (1984-1992)
Historian (1993-2004)