Student Involvement
Getting involved in at least one student organization on campus is arguably the most important thing you can do once you step foot on campus. With over 1,000 student organizations to join, it’s impossible to not find a group that has the same interests, values, and/or career goals as yourself. Student organizations serve as a medium for academic discourse, personal growth, leadership development, intercultural understanding, community service, and lasting friendships.
If you’re not sure you want to get involved, consider this: research on the benefits of student organization membership suggests that involved students tend to perform better academically and are more likely to graduate than their non-involved peers. Students involved in organizations composed of peers learn leadership and interpersonal skills, as well as life skills such as planning, time management, and budgeting. Involved students develop a more robust, supportive network of friends and colleagues that often lasts beyond their college years. Don’t be afraid…jump in!
Animal Science Extra-curricular Activities
Click on a name to link to more information.
Animal Science Community Alliance
The Animal Science Community Alliance is leadership group engaged in strategic departmental planning and implementation of events to build community within the department; recruitment of high school students; peer mentorship and teaching in the ANIMSCI 1100 course; and, interaction with alumni for fundraising opportunities.
Buckeye Dairy Club
The Buckeye Dairy Club is a member of the American Dairy Science Association, Student Affiliate Division. The club promotes friendship and cooperation between members of the club, faculty, and people in the dairy industry. It also provides an opportunity for men and women with a shared interest in areas related to dairy to meet socially and to develop unity and professional relationships.
Food Animal Club
The Food Animal Club is an active club that is actually run out of the the College of Veterinary Medicine that facilitates weekly morning meetings featuring varied speakers and topics with breakfast provided at every meeting! Whether you have a farm background or you are just a little curious about food animal medicine, the Food Animal Club has a lot to offer!
Meat Science Club
The purpose of the Meat Science Club is: To promote the meat industry through educational and industrial experiences by means of interaction with professors, leaders of the industry, and future employers. • Engage in leadership activities that focus on different techniques, careers, and current issues in the meats industry. • Represent the organization through fundraising events that support the club and educate the public.
OSU Horsemen’s Association
The Ohio State University Horsemen’s Association was established to help promote the horse industry and to allow members to gain knowledge and experience by participating in equine events. The organization sponsors an annual horsemanship clinic, a horse show, and judging contests for 4-H and FFA youth, as well as other activities in the community.
Poultry Science Club
The Poultry Science Club was established for students with an interest in poultry and the poultry industry. The club sponsors many annual events, including turkey sales and chick hatches.
Pre-Vet Club
The Pre-Vet Club is advised out of the College of Veterinary Medicine and it provides an opportunity for interested pre-veterinary students to meet, explore, and gain knowledge of the field of veterinary medicine, and develop closer ties of fellowship through a social atmosphere among students interested in veterinary medicine.
Saddle and Sirloin Club
The Saddle and Sirloin Club of The Ohio State University was organized in February 1911, the first college organization of its kind in the nation. The primary purpose of the club is to promote interest in the livestock and meat industries. The club is open to all Ohio State students interested in the livestock and meats industries.
Shades of Animal Science
The purpose of Shades is to provide networking opportunities with faculty, staff, students and industry professionals that share a love of working with companion and exotic animals, to explore career opportunities in Animal Sciences, and to learn about other opportunities on campus both academically and socially focused.
Veterinary Technology Club
The Veterinary Technology Club exists to provide a network of support for the students participating in, or interested in, the integrated animal science/veterinary technology program at Ohio State. It provides a source of peer based academic support, as well as transitional support as students go between the animal science and veterinary technology program, and it serves as an outlet to explore different aspects and opportunities available in the field of veterinary technology while in school, and after graduation from the program. The club facilitates the development of professional and personal ties among those interested in the profession, and a sense of fellowship for those involved.
Other Extra-curricular Activities
The Ohio State Hunt Seat Equestrian Team
The Ohio State Western Equestrian Team
Pre-Medicine Club
Pre-Pharmacy Club
Pre-Optometry Club
Pre-Dental Club
Animal Science Co-curricular Activities
Academic Quadrathlon
Each year teams of four students compete in an academic quadrathlon designed to test students’ comprehensive knowledge of the animal sciences. The quadrathlon includes a laboratory practicum, quiz bowl, public presentation, and written exam. The winning quadrathlon team represents The Ohio State University in a regional contest held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Midwest sections of the American Society of Animal Science and the American Dairy Science Association.
Dairy Judging Team
The dairy judging program provides undergraduates at OSU the unique experience of judging dairy cattle at possibly eight separate contests across America. In such settings, members of the team are expected to place various ages and breeds of cattle as well as to present oral reasons to officials.
Dairy Challenge Team
The Dairy Challenge program provides the opportunity for undergraduates at The Ohio State University to experience the process of evaluating management practices on a dairy farm and to interact with representatives in the dairy industry. The program is held in a contest format whereby students are grouped into teams of three to four individuals.
Horse Judging Team
Recently brought back in 2011, the horse judging team is slowly building back up. Judging aspects include conformation and non-riding performance events like western pleasure, hunter under saddle, reining, hunter over fences, and trail. In addition, there are breed shows. As part of the preparation process, members are encouraged to take ANIM SCI 3301, Equine Selection and Evaluation. Previous equine experience is not essential to being part of the equine judging team, just an enthusiasm and love for horses.
Livestock Judging Team
Livestock judging analyzes animals and measures them against a commonly accepted ideal standard. Participants have opportunities to interact with future leaders in the livestock industry and to develop the judgment and confidence needed to make decisions that must be orally defended.
Meat Judging Team
The Ohio State University Meat Judging Team is an educational and competitive, extracurricular activity that competes on a nationwide basis. The meat judging program complements student education in agriculture through teaching how the final end product is evaluated, fabricated, and marketed. Furthermore, meats team members are exposed first hand to numerous segments of the livestock and meats industry across the U.S.
Poultry Judging Team
Poultry evaluation and selection processes are fundamental to understanding form and function and incorporating these concepts into identification of future breeding animals. Through poultry judging, students learn to assess conformation, structural integrity, and general functionality as these characteristics relate to value differences among birds within market channels. Poultry judging aids decision-making skills and improves oral communication skills through a structured approach. Participants in poultry judging travel across the U.S. to practice and compete in intercollegiate contests and are exposed to industry leading breeders and judges.
For a full list of all the student organizations at Ohio State, click here.