Introduction:
Reed Rumsey was elected president of the AAAP in July 1979, after having served as vice president during 1978-79 and on the Board of Directors in 1976-78. Tragically, he developed cancer and resigned in January 1980. Highly respected by his peers in the industry and academia, he also had great faith in young people and the future of the poultry industry. Shortly before his death, Dr. Rumsey announced that he would bequeath $25,000 to the AAAP for the establishment of a student award program for the advancement of avian medicine. The American Association of Avian Pathologists annually selects an outstanding student(s) to be the recipient of the Reed Rumsey Student Award for Advancement of Avian Medicine.
Qualification Criteria:
1. Applicants must be veterinary students, graduate students, residents, or interns pursuing an existing program in a College of Veterinary Medicine or appropriate department in an academic institution.
2. Graduate students must be concurrently pursuing or have already received their D.V.M. degree.
3. Veterinary students (enrolled in a college of veterinary medicine) may be considered if they are doing research or have a case report to submit.
4. Residents or interns (following a D.V.M. degree) must be participating in an avian medicine training program.
The award(s) shall be competitive and given in addition to any stipend given by the academic institution. Initially the award(s) shall be in the amount of $1,000 plus travel expenses (Travel reimbursed up to $1,500. Award winners must submit an expense sheet and receipts.) to the American Association of Avian Pathologists' Annual Meeting. The AAAP Board has provided up to two awards be given each year to qualified students involved in basic research and/or clinical research.
Application Requirements:
1. Submission of a one-to-two page abstract describing the original research or a case study conducted by the applicant. Those selected to receive the award will be expected to present an oral presentation of their research or case report at the American Association of Avian Pathologists' Annual Meeting. Please note that applying for the scholarship is separate process from submitting an abstract. Applicants should do both.
2. Copy of current curriculum vitae.
3. Transcript of grades (graduate work for those in graduate school, veterinary school transcript for those professional students not concurrently in graduate school). A progress report will suffice for those in a residency or internship program.
4. Narrative statement by the applicant (1-2 pages) outlining career goals and plans for the future. In addition, the applicant should comment on how their graduate/ residency/ internship/ professional school program and research/case study has helped them move towards these goals. Preferential consideration will be given to nominees who express a commitment to devoting their career to avian medicine.
5. A supporting letter from the major professor or someone else from the institution qualified to comment on the quality of the applicant. This letter should contain a distinct paragraph stating that the applicant qualifies according to the criteria stated in section labeled “Qualification Criteria”.