Brandon Smith, an animal science graduate student in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, was recently elected national graduate director of the American Society of Animal Science.

His appointment marks the first time in the organization's history the position has been held by students from the same university for two terms in a row. Angie Mays was the previous national graduate director and was the first student from the U of A to be elected for the position. Now, she has high hopes for Smith and is excited that the position will remain with a fellow U of A student. They have also both been from the animal science department and have represented the industry, as well as the department, on a national scale. Madeline McCurry-Schmidt, scientific communications associate for ASAS, said, "This is the first time the position has been held by two students from the same school. Clearly the University of Arkansas is off to a good start!"

"When I first heard the results of the election, I was both shocked and honored," said Smith. "I cannot begin to thank these individuals and the membership of the society for putting their faith in me and allowing me to mold the direction of our organization in the coming years."

Smith grew up in Slocomb, Ala., where he was raised on his family's small beef cattle farm. Prior to his college career, he served as the Alabama FFA Association state secretary and was named the Alabama Future Farmer of the Year that same year.

Smith continued to be professionally involved in the animal science industry during his college career. In 2012, Smith received his certification as a Professional Animal Scientist from the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. He is also a member of the ASAS, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, and American Forage and Grassland Council. He also pursues research projects with U of A System Division of Agriculture faculty.

As the ASAS national graduate director, he will be responsible for planning, advertising and implementing ASAS graduate student activities at the annual national meeting, will serve as a voting member on the national ASAS Board of Directors, attend bi-annual board meetings, serve on various national committees, update the graduate student webpage, work with social media to promote the organization and update the monthly Taking Stock e-newsletter.

While maintaining these duties, Smith has his own goals. He plans to establish a greater intersociety collaboration between ASAS and other professional societies. He hopes this will help the organization prepare early-career professionals and students to be competitive in current and future job markets. He wants to ensure students remain the premier professionals that the world has come to expect from the animal science field.

Michael Looper, head of the animal science department, said, "The ASAS fosters the discovery, sharing and applications of scientific knowledge of animal production. Leadership roles in scientific societies such as ASAS are outstanding opportunities for our students. I commend Angie and Brandon for their professionalism in helping direct the future of ASAS and representing the U of A, Bumpers College, Division of Agriculture, and the department of animal science."

Following completion of his master's degree at the University of Arkansas, Smith plans to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in agronomy, emphasizing forage crop physiology and production. Ultimately, he plans to attain a university professorship to continue his research interests in beef nutrition on a forage and pasture basis.