First, I would like to extend some accolades. Since 2007 (yes!),  Steve Schmidt of Auburn University has chaired the ARPAS Exam Committee. During that time he has worked with various FASS staff, ARPAS officers, ARPAS executive vice presidents, and ARPAS members. He has overseen revisions and addition of various species and other category exams. Most recently, he has worked through the establishment of the electronic Prolydian exam system. His commitment and work have been a stabilizing part, benefiting ARPAS and its membership. Best wishes to Steve in his ARPAS program retirement.

Although I often hesitate to single out groups for fear of seeming biased, it’s equally important to spotlight excellence. So, I want to recognize that Agri-King has a program to ensure that all of their field and technical people become ARPAS members. In addition, Agri-King is an ARPAS sponsor. Is your organization interested in following their example and strengthening your staff’s professional credentials with ARPAS? Please reach out to us; we’d be happy to tailor a program that works for you and your team!

University departments that consistently encourage graduate students to join ARPAS often have one driving force behind them—a faculty champion. Examples are Paul Beck at Oklahoma State University, Ty Lawrence at West Texas A&M, Peter Erickson at the University of New Hampshire, and Liz Eckelkamp at the University of Tennessee. Granted, they may not do this alone, but they are the catalyst. Could you be that catalyst at your institution? Do you have grad students who might be interested in a free pizza party in exchange for taking their ARPAS exam? Let us know!

Although our numbers are growing, ARPAS has lost about one-half of its membership throughout the pandemic era. We have an ongoing program to recruit these lapsed members back, but the future for ARPAS lies in getting most faculty and graduate students to become members. We now have an academic membership program (aPAS) for full-time PhD faculty, which does not require a qualifying exam as long as they maintain their faculty position. We need to spread the word and recruit those faculty to become members.

Another reality is that graduate students are less likely to become ARPAS members if their professors are not ARPAS members. Faculty also need to facilitate graduate students becoming ARPAS members. The new electronic exam system allows anyone to take a qualifying exam anytime, anyplace with a suitable internet connection. We know graduate students have a full plate, so corralling them to take an exam is a beneficial approach especially within a department. Taking the exam in a group setting has been pioneered in the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference, Equine Science Society, ADSA, ASAS, and PSA annual programs.

ARPAS was developed primarily by animal science professors over a 10-year period. If our new programs don’t succeed, our financial future is uncertain. But, here’s the bottom line: ARPAS promotes professional competency and a culture of integrity. That mission is vital to our field—and it’s worth fighting for.

Let’s recommit to that vision. Let’s grow our community. Let’s ensure ARPAS continues to serve animal science for generations to come.