Penn State University
324 Henning
Building
University Park, PA 16802
The Block and Bridle Club is undoubtedly one of the most active clubs, not only on Ag Hill, but at Penn State. As a culmination of all livestock enthusiasts at Penn State, initiates participate in a wide range of activities; social, community service, and educational.
In the fall, club members welcome transfer and freshmen students to the university at a Welcome Back picnic complete with burgers, dogs, and all the fixins. Club meetings are held every first and third Thursday of the month, with the executive committee meeting on the alternate weeks. New students have ample opportunities to get involved, meet great friends, and have a ton of fun through all of the meetings and activities.
All species of interest are well represented at our club events. Our equine enthusiasts have a great time helping the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association at Ag Progress Days, participating in the Pennsylvania State Trail Ride, The Penn State Quarter Horse spring sale, weanling and mare handling and grooming, and foal watch. Those interested in meats science have the opportunity to shine at our two meat sales held during the year, and by volunteering as group leaders at the Eastern National Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest in Wyalusing Pa. Our beef showman have a great time organizing the annual club calf sale and helping out with the cattle breaking and Pennsylvania Beef Expo and State Bull Test Sale. Sheep fans help out with Meet a Sheep Day and the Keystone Stud Ram and Ewe show and sale. Most club members have their species of interest, but club members have an awesome time helping out with all of the club events.
Let’s go State! Every year the Block and Bridle club hosts the Animal Products Tailgate at the Meats Lab across from Beaver Stadium. Free samples of beef, pork, chicken and lamb are given out to passersby tailgating for the game. Throughout football season, many members also meet up to go to the games together, and can often be found cheering on the Blue & White in the “S Zone!” Another activity that shows our Penn State pride is our annual Perspective Student Open House. Block and Bridle, along with other animal science related clubs hosts a two day event where high school students have the chance to experience life as a college of ag student first hand.
Starting this past year, club members began the Blood for Bats project. Blood is saved from beef cattle harvested at the Meats Lab and is delivered to the Philadelphia Zoo where it is then fed to the zoo’s vampire bats. Club members also visited the zoo last spring to see exactly how vampire bat feeding takes place.
On the road again… Penn State proudly attends the National Block and Bridle Convention every year to have a great time networking with other Block and Bridle clubs across the country, and compete in the yearbook, website, outstanding junior and senior, and activities competitions. In 2005 the club did a fantastic job representing the university, and we look forward to it again in 2006. Members can also be found competing at the Northeast Student Affiliate Judging Contest in the public speaking, quiz bowl, and livestock judging contests. Members also get a chance at running several; livestock and horse judging contests by volunteering at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition and The Penn State spring judging contest. All participate in scoring judging cards, holding animals, or helping with contests.
Block and Bridle is proud of their contributions to the Penn State community. After flood waters took over one of the sheep farms, club members stepped to the plate and volunteered a Saturday morning cleaning grass off the fences, garbage out of the pastures, and piled scattered tree branches. The Block and Bridle Club at Penn State continues to support the Heifer International program. Personal donations are made from club members and advisors, and a matching donation is made by the club up to $250. In conjunction with the club’s annual meat sale, the club donates 12 holiday hams to the Froggy 98’s (Forever Broadcasting) Christmas Carol initiative that provides gifts to those less fortunate for the holiday season. In the spring, club members travel to a nearby community to help the Mennonite Central Committee with annual meat canning. Meat is cooked, cut, and canned and sent around the world. We wrap up the semester by beefing up the local blood supply with our spring blood drive. The club hosts the largest Penn State blood drive held on campus. Last year we collected more than 145 pints of blood in one day.
Along with the many service activities, club members, initiates, and advisors enjoyed each other’s company throughout the semester at many social events. Block and Bridle could be found at Northland Bowl for a fun night of bowling, Tussey Mountain for an evening of snow tubing, and at the Ag Arena for some Boot, Scoot, and Ropin’! Many club members participated in IM Sports at Penn State. Our outstanding softball and football teams both made the playoffs, with the softball team making the semifinal round. Those more interested in “unorganized fun” enjoyed a late night broomball game at the ice rink toward the end of the spring semester before heading home for the summer. Also a sight to be seen, a team represents the club at the annual Ag Hill Olympics. Through milk chugging, round bale rolling, and turkey bowling, our teams always finish as champs! At the end of the fall semester, the club kicks up their heels at the annual semi-formal to celebrate the year.
Of course Block and Bridle would not be complete without the annual Little International. This year will mark the 89th annual “Little I.” The club hopes to exceed lasts year participation of over 70 showman and have twice as much fun.
As you can see, the Block and Bridle at Penn State is extremely active and always on the go. Club advisors Dr. Kniffen, Dr. Kephart, and Vivian Baumer are proud of their accomplishments and continue to offer their time and support to see the club be one of the best clubs to be involved with on Ag Hill.
For more information about Penn State Block and Bridle visit our website at http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/blockandbridle/.
2005-2006 Officer Team
President: Jill Gevin
Vice-President: Justin Cunfer
Recording Secretary: Barb Schramm
Corresponding Secretary: Keri Connelly
Treasurer: Laura Sankey
Marshall: Kyle Grim
Ag Student Council Rep: Paul W. Hostetter
Ag Student Council Rep: Katie Hetherington
Social Chairman: Jodi Torock
Livestock Committee Chairman: Chris Jeffcoat
Horse Committee Chairman: Megan Brown
2005-2006 Club Advisors
Dr. Dan Kniffen
Dr. Ken Kephart
Ms. Vivian Baumer
2004-2005 Officer Team
President: Paul W. Hostetter
Vice-President: Katie Logan
Recording Secretary: Megan Brown
Corresponding Secretary: Debbie McAllister
Treasurer: Sarah Thomas
Marshall: Andy Herr
Ag Student Council Rep: Jill Gevin
Ag Student Council Rep: Clark Neely
Social Chairman: Brianna Shealer
Livestock Committee Chairman: Justin Cunfer
Horse Committee Chairman: Kristen Jury
2004-2005 Club Advisors
Dr. Erskine Cash
Dr. Dan Kniffen
Ms. Karen Vines
