The Poultry Science Department recently recognized four students for their outstanding achievements during their time at the U of A and in the program.  

Each year, the departments of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences choose students to honor for their achievements. Departments name a Ph.D. student, M.S. student, senior and transfer student as Student of the Year in their respective categories. This year Clay Maynard was named the Ph.D. Student of the Year for the Poultry Science Department.

"I am humbled in knowing that my efforts in the department over the last three years have not gone unnoticed and that the department rewarded my actions with an award of this magnitude," Maynard said.

Maynard completed his bachelor's degree in food science at Oklahoma State University, and he came to the U of A to pursue his master's degree in poultry science. After he graduated with his master's degree in 2020, Maynard stayed in the Poultry Science Department for his Ph.D., with an emphasis in meat quality.

David Caldwell, department head, said Maynard was a deserving recipient of this award.

"Clay's academic record is strong, and his publication record is impressive for this stage in his career," Caldwell said. "To date, he is an author on 20 peer-reviewed scientific articles, serving as lead author on three of these publications. He also recently submitted an additional publication that is currently under review, and he is preparing four additional articles for submission this spring."

Research is not the only impressive part of Maynard's resume. He has a considerable amount of teaching and work experience, Caldwell said.

"Clay's formal teaching experience includes serving as a teaching assistant for the laboratory meetings for POSC 4314 Egg and Meat Technology for the past four years," Caldwell said. "In addition to leading all labs, he is also frequently a guest lecturer for his adviser, Casey Owens, for this class and for her other course, POSC 4233 Value Added Muscle Foods."

Caldwell says Maynard is committed to the department, community and the people around him.

"He was the first poultry science graduate student I interacted with when I first joined the department," Caldwell said. "He stopped by my office during my first week to introduce himself to me and welcome me to the department. This may seem insignificant to some, but to me, it is just one example of Clay's commitment to professionalism and collegiality."

One student from each department's award recipients is selected to represent the Bumpers College as Student of the Year for their respective category. Maynard was selected as the Ph.D. Student of the Year for Bumpers College this year.

"To say I was shocked to read my name had been selected is not an understatement," Maynard said. "I am humbled and honored to represent the department for being named recipient for both of these awards."

Maynard's mentors were inspiring to him and helped him achieve this accomplishment.

"I would first like to thank Dr. Casey Owens for her mentorship and guidance through my professional degree career," Maynard said. "I would also like to thank Dr. Sara Orlowski for nominating me for this award and for her continual support of my studies during my Ph.D. I would also like to thank Dr. Caldwell and Dr. (Mike) Looper for their support of my application and for constantly checking on the progress of my degree."

While his professional mentors were a big part of his success, those are not the only supporters who made a difference for Maynard.

"I would like to thank my parents, Kyle and Carolyn Maynard, for constantly being supportive and for always pushing me to be my best," Maynard said. "Without their support, I would not have been able to be where I am today, and I am forever grateful for their support."

The Poultry Science Department named Lauren Laverty as the M.S. Student of Year.

"I was very surprised and flattered," Laverty said. "It's very special to be recognized and nominated for something you didn't really know you were being considered for."

Laverty is completing her master's degree under Billy Hargis, Distinguished Professor of Poultry Science, and she plans to continue her education this fall.

"My growth both as an individual and as a scientist has been exponential since I started my program and has allowed me to nurture my love of research," Laverty said. "I have no plans to stop in the near future and will complete my Ph.D."

Her research focuses on poultry diseases, and she works to help solve some of the biggest challenges facing the poultry industry.

"These projects are all derived from a need to solve a problem in the poultry industry, and I believe they have the potential to be very influential in the future," Laverty said.

She has presented her research at the Poultry Science Association meeting and the International Poultry Science Forum at the International Production and Processing Expo.

"Being a M.S. student has been tremendously rewarding, and I can't imagine doing so anywhere but with my second family in poultry science," Laverty said.

The Undergraduate Student of the Year was Alessandro Rocchi, a senior double-majoring in poultry science and environmental, soil and water science.

"When I found out I was chosen for the award, I felt extremely honored," Rocchi said. "It was great to hear that I was nominated by some of my closest professors, and that they believed I was worthy of being chosen for this award."

For Rocchi, the U of A was a chance to grow and explore new interests.

"In high school I had always been a shy student and mostly kept to myself," Rocchi said. "Coming to the University of Arkansas, and more specifically Bumpers College, has nurtured me into blossoming into the best version of myself both academically and socially."

Rocchi has been active in the U of A Vietnamese Student Association; the Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Club; and the Poultry Science Club.

"Through my four years, I have been an active member of the Poultry Science Club - attending lectures and participating in monthly club events," Rocchi said. "The coronavirus halted most club activities, but we have been able to revive the club this past semester. I was elected as the treasurer, and I hope to set the club up to where it is able to maintain its current vigor and persist for many more years."

He is proud of his accomplishments during his time at the U of A, he says.

"I have had a great four years in the department, and experiences in POSC and Bumpers College have been fundamental in my growth and my career," Rocchi said. "I will continue to provide others with what I have been given as I continue down my career path. No matter where I end up in the future, I will always be a Razorback at heart."

Miguel Montero, a senior poultry science major, was chosen as the Transfer Student of the Year.

"It is an honor that my professors have chosen to highlight my accomplishments since joining the department last year," Montero said. "I have learned so much in a short amount of time through extracurricular activities and an internship. I have traveled to many new places to network and learn."

Montero started his education at Cossatot Community College in De Queen, where he graduated with an associate degree of general studies. He came to the U of A in the fall of 2021 as an animal science major, until he switched to poultry science later that semester.

"In hindsight I can say that changing majors to poultry science was the best decision I have ever made," Montero said. "I am surrounded by some of the most brilliant faculty committed to teaching their students, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from them."

He is active in a number of extracurricular activities on campus including the Volunteer Action Center, the Meat Science Quiz Bowl team, Academic Quadrathlon and the Poultry Science Club. Montero completed an internship with Cargill, and it was an impactful learning experience for him.

"I spent a summer working on several challenging projects," Montero said. "I took the initiative to step out of my comfort zone and put myself in a situation that I was certain would challenge my abilities. Those three months taught me the importance of leadership."