The clubs and organizations affiliated with the Animal Science department
allow ample opportunities for leadership, development, hands-on animal
experience, and fun!
Aplha
Gamma Rho
Alpha
Zeta
Animal
Husbandry Club
Collegiate 4-H
Sigma
Alpha
University
of Maryland Equestrian Club (UMEC)
University
of Maryland Equestrian Team
Veterinary
Science Club
ALPHA GAMMA RHO
Alpha Gamma Rho is a social/professional fraternity that has been a training ground for
leaders in the agriculture and life sciences community since it was established at College
Park in 1928. AGR has a rich tradition of alumni contacts with over 50,000 brothers
nationwide, including over 700 brothers in the Washington area alone. AGR men are
leaders in various clubs within the college and the fraternity is an active member of both
the Inter-fraternity Council (IFC) and the Ag Student Council. Alpha Gamma Rho
stresses scholarship, leadership and fellowship, and it is well respected among Greek
organizations because of their no pledging, substance free, scholars environment. In
addition, the chapter house on Princeton Avenue offers the opportunity to live with
brothers who are taking the same classes and share many of the same interests which
makes it much easier to find a niche on such a large campus.
Contact - Sean O'Connell - soconne1@mail.umd.edu
ALPHA ZETA
Alpha Zeta is an agricultural professional honor society whose membership is selected
from undergraduate and graduate students excelling in scholarship, leadership, character,
and service. Organizational events include coordinating the Partners in Education
program with the USDA Agriculture Research Service, Beltsville Area, fund raising
activities, community service projects, awards and recognition programs, and an annual
student/faculty/alumni banquet. A popular annual event is coordinating a Field Day for
young children at the nearby National Agricultural Research Visitor Center at Beltsville.
Contact - Tim Kobus - tkobus@umd.edu
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY CLUB
The Animal Husbandry Club at the University of Maryland, College Park, provides
opportunities for students to gain animal handling experience, build interpersonal
relationship skills, and students are given the encouragement to excel! Activities and
experiences specifically designed for students of diversified interests in animal
agriculture are provided, including experiences with many different domestic species.
Membership is open to all undergraduate students interested in getting hands-on
experience working with dairy, beef, sheep or swine, and learning more about general
animal sciences. Activities include the Ag Day Dairy and Livestock Shows, Harvest
Stomp/Fall Festival, fitting of animals for the annual Wye Angus Sale, and other
activities working with dairy animals. One can gain further leadership skills by holding
an office. Each Spring, elections are held for President, Vice-President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and Historian. For
more information, visit our web site anshbclb.
Contact - Katy Nolte - knolte@umd.edu
Visit
the Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/anhsbclb
COLLEGIATE 4-H
Many colleges and universities have Collegiate 4-H clubs. Collegiate 4-H is an
organization that provides its members with a sense of identity on campus, enriches their
lives through group projects and recreation, and develops confidence and leadership
skills. Clubs provide service and support to their local and state 4-H programs, such as
serving as judges and conducting training workshops. They are also a service and social
group for campus students.
Collegiate 4-H is open to all college students who wish to support youth and the 4-H
program. It is not necessary to have prior 4-H experience, only to have an interest in the
4-H ideals and in serving your community.
http://www.collegiate4h.org/
UMCP Chapter Contact Info:
Advisor: Kendra Wells, Email: klwells@umd.edu
SIGMA ALPHA
Sigma Alpha is a national professional agricultural sorority. The objective of the sorority
is to promote its members in all facets of agriculture and to strengthen the friendships
among them. Members strive for achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and to
further the development of women pursuing careers in agriculture. Sigma Alpha works to
promote agriculture, and women’s role, on our campus, in our community and throughout
the state.
Activities include: attending regional and national conferences /conventions; participating
in college events (Fall Bash, ANSC orientation, Cook-Offs); service activities- including
teaching agriculture to local elementary students and judging contests for the Maryland
FFA; professional Guest speakers, and participating in MD day/Ag day
Membership rush is held on a semester basis. To be eligible, potential members must
have: 2.25 Cumulative GPA, Agriculture major or sincere interest in agriculture, be a
member of 1 other group or Enrolled in 18 credits or working 10 hours a week.
Contact - President, Lisa D. Richardson at saba.pres@gmail.com or Rush Chair, Sara
Greenbaum at sgreenie@mail.umd.edu
Visit the web site: www.studentorg.umd.edu/sigma
UNIVERSITY OF
MARYLAN EQUESTRIAN
CLUB
The University of Maryland Equestrian Club (UMEC) provides on-campus horseback
riding lessons and equine learning opportunities for campus students and faculty at
beginner through advanced levels. The ANSC department provides the barn, equipment,
riding arenas and horses while the students provide care for the horses. There is a riding
fee of $200 per semester for 1 riding lesson a week for the entire semester. Large
deductions are easily earned for help with feeding, cleaning stalls or teaching. Club
members not riding are strongly encouraged to participate in other club activities, such as
educational and fun seminars, field trips and monthly meetings. In the past, UMEC
members have attended the Columbia Grand Prix and the Washington International
Horse Show and taken field trips to the DuPont Veterinary Medical Center in Leesburg,
Va. and Days End Horse Rescue Farm in Maryland. Members have also participated in
clinics on tack fitting and identifying lameness in horses. Club members, under the
leadership of the Executive Board and Directors, make most UMEC club decisions. We
offer a great opportunity to all students and we're always open to suggestions. We also try
to have something for everyone including basic English equitation, Western equitation,
dressage, bareback and trail riding, horse and farm management, veterinary care, teaching
skills and much more. The UMEC is located at the campus horse barn, and our office is
in the Shack, right next to the paddocks. There is very limited space in the riding lessons,
so e-mail us right away to reserve yourself a spot in the most educational equine club
provided by the University of Maryland. For more information, please visit our web
site.
Contact – Anne LeBrun, President - umec_president@yahoo.com
or email – umequestrianclub@yahoo.com
Visit the web site: http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/umec/
UNIVERSITY OF
MARYLAN EQUESTRIAN
TEAM
The Equestrian Team is a competitive club, meaning they travel to different schools in
the zone and compete in IHSA shows. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni association
members of all levels are invited. The team offers English, Western, and jumping, so
team members can pick what type of riding to specialize in or compete in all three! The
team does not hold tryouts so anyone can join the team. UMET is located about 25
minutes off campus at Clay Hill Stables in Springdale, Maryland. It costs $550 a
semester to be a member of the team. That money includes two one hour group lessons a
week taught by trainer Trisha Prettyman, unlimited practice rides (hacks), show fees,
show practices, and a ton of fun!
Contact - Susan Davidson at susand@umd.edu or Catherine Magee at
cmagee2@umd.edu.
VETERINARY SCIENCE CLUB
The primary objectives of the Veterinary Science Club are to: Promote a deeper
understanding of the numerous opportunities in veterinary medicine; exchange
information on veterinary and animal experiences, and. keep students updated on the
latest veterinary school information.
What does the Veterinary Science Club do?
- A variety of guest speakers are invited to club meetings to talk about their
specialties or field of interest. A sample of topic include wildlife rehabilitation,
laboratory animal medicine, exotic pet care and veterinary ethics
- Each year, faculty from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary
Medicine speak to club members about veterinary medical school. Mock
interviews are held in January to prepare our club members for the admissions
process
- Club sponsored trips offer our members the ability to tour various veterinary
medical facilities and talk to veterinary students and faculty and to visit local zoos
and animal care facilities
- Each year we participate in the APVMA National Symposium which is held at
different veterinary schools annually. This is an excellent opportunity to visit a
vet school, plus hear over 30 speakers on numerous topics and participate in a
variety of wet and dry lab
- Volunteer with the Prince George's County Animal Shelter in partnership with
PetSmart to help find homes for abandoned animals
Contact – Carin Cordelli , President
Visit the Web Site: http://www.careercenter.umd.edu/VetSciClub
