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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

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Allison M. Rapp

Allison M. RappAllison M. Rapp 

Department of Animal Sciences
Animal Sciences - Animal Biosciences
Xenia, OH

2021 Distinguished Senior Award Celebration Program (.pdf)

2021 Distinguished Senior Award Recipient Poster (.pdf)

Allison Rapp took advantage of the opportunity to travel to Scotland to study small ruminants, and other food animal species, with her fellow classmates. There, they were able to tour the country, immersing themselves in the unique culture, while meeting researchers, farmers, and veterinarians, all of whom played roles in Scotland’s animal industries. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and she will value this experience for years to come.

Allison is extremely proud of her time on the Ohio State Poultry Judging Team. This was an ambition that she brought with her to Ohio State, and it was rewarding to complete that goal after working on it for nearly six years. As a member of the team, she competed against students from across the country in contests at both the University of Arkansas and Louisiana State University. She was also given the chance to “pay it forward” by putting on local poultry judging invitationals through Ohio’s FFA chapters. She loved the opportunity to bring her experience full circle and help encourage this interest among FFA students, particularly future OSU students.

During her internship with Cooper Farms in Fort Recovery, OH, as a veterinary services intern, Allison had a terrific experience. She performed surveillance testing, sample collection, and analysis of reovirus events in turkey finisher flocks. She assisted veterinarians in evaluating health concerns in hens, turkeys, and swine through farm visits, necropsies, and lab work. During this internship, Allison learned how to effectively communicate with producers and her fellow employees about the tasks at hand. Through encountering a lot of different procedures, tests, and situations, she discovered how to navigate each of them well. With an in-depth understanding of Ohio’s animal agriculture industry, she respects the hard work and dedication that it takes to maintain health and quality.

Allison expressed her desire to recognize Dr. Michael Cressman as her faculty mentor. She shared, “Dr. Cressman has been an influential part of my time here at OSU. I came to school with interest and involvement in the poultry industry. Through Poultry Science Club, Poultry Judging Team, numerous classes, and in our relationship [with him] as my advisor, he has supported my interests and provided me with opportunities to submerge myself into the industry. The confidence, experience, and skills that I have gained have allowed me to branch out to other species and new interests, but it would not have been possible without his guidance and support along the way.”

After graduation, Allison plans on attending the College of Veterinary Medicine here at The Ohio State University, to pursue her DVM degree, followed by a career in food animal medicine.

Service, involvement, and accolades: Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, president, vice president | Poultry Science Club | CFAES Student Council representative, president, outreach and education chair | Poultry Judging Team | Veterinary Early Commitment Program | Saddle & Sirloin Club | Ohio Farm Bureau

Allison Rapp - Press Release