Morrison Swine Innovator Prize

Dr. Bob Morrison was an internationally recognized leader in the swine industry. He was instrumental in the completion of pseudorabies eradication in the US, lead the first PRRS regional control and elimination program, launched the Swine Health Monitoring Program in 2011, and coordinated two major swine conferences: the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference held in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Leman China Conference.

Throughout his 30 years as a professor at the University of Minnesota, Bob demonstrated his passion for education, pursued work that was relevant for the swine industry, and impersonated his mantra of “learn, teach, and have fun.” His passion for bringing experienced and talented people together to share knowledge created excellent learning opportunities for DVM students.

Veterinary student, are you shadowing a swine veterinarian this summer or involved in an interesting clinical case investigation? Are you working on your veterinary skills by designing a list of differentials or developing a treatment plan? Are you investigating a problem by analyzing production records? Then share your work at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference to win the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize!

The Allen D. Leman Swine Conference is organizing a session for innovative veterinary students to demonstrate their skills by presenting a case or experience that challenged their clinical training and required them to use their problem-solving capabilities to improve swine health and productivity. Creativity, innovation and originality are encouraged.

Details about the 2023 Morrison Swine Innovator Prize are not yet available. Please check this page later this year for more information, or email [email protected] with any questions.

Background

The Morrison Swine Innovator Prize honors the legacy of Dr. Bob Morrison to pursue work that matters for the swine industry and in doing so, to follow his mantra of  “Learn. Teach. Have fun.”

The program seeks to inspire and support the next generation of swine veterinary industry leaders and connect them to today’s top producers and veterinary clinics.

Prize goals

The goals of the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize are to:

• Honor Dr. Morrison’s legacy of doing work that matters and his mantra by inspiring innovative thinking and problem solving among veterinary students.
• Expose DVM students to the swine industry to encourage them to specialize in swine.
• Provide opportunities for the next generation of swine veterinary industry leaders to network with producers, veterinary clinics, allied industry partners and among each other.
• Provide companies  and veterinary practices with a platform to demonstrate their leadership in the industry and their commitment to education and innovation.

Student eligibility and prize benefits

The Morrison Swine Innovator Prize will be open to DVM students enrolled at accredited four-year universities in the United States and Canada. Students will need to have a demonstrated interest in, and understanding of swine production. Note: while the University of Minnesota will administer the program, students attending other qualified universities can apply the monetary award toward tuition or other costs at their respective schools.

Student application

The application process will require students to show that they have worked to embody Dr. Morrison’s mantra, reflected in a project or activity undertaken to apply for the prize. Evidence of problem-solving skills, relevance of the work to swine producers and veterinarians, and innovation will be rewarded. The “Innovation” thread will run through the project design, application process, and presentation at the conference where students will have the option to include a video, PowerPoint, infographic, or other creative element to demonstrate how their project ties back to Dr. Morrison’s mantra.

A committee composed of faculty from the University of Minnesota, swine practitioners and members of the pork industry will select, after reviewing the applications files,  a group of student-finalists who will be invited to present at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference to compete for the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize.

Prize benefits

Finalists:

The finalists will be presenting the innovation in the format of their choosing during a dedicated session at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. Each of the finalists will be reimbursed for their expenses to attend the meeting and will receive a book related to the current practice of swine medicine.

Prize receiver:

At the end of the session at the Leman swine conference, a jury composed of CVM swine faculty as well as swine practitioners and sponsors of the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize will select the most deserving presenter and recipient of the prize.

The winner, in addition to the rewards given to the finalists, will receive a monetary prize and will be recognized as the year Morrison Swine Innovator Prize Recipient.

Sponsorship opportunities

Sponsoring companies play a key role in the program’s success, as the opportunity to network and gain real-world industry experience is what sets the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize apart from others available to veterinary students. The benefits to becoming a sponsor include:

• The opportunity to develop relationships with the next generation of swine industry leaders and identify future intern and job candidates.
• A platform to demonstrate your company’s leadership in the industry and commitment to innovation and education.
• High visibility at a key swine industry event through name and logo appearing on program and press materials.

Sponsorship benefits

Support the program through a monetary contribution and internship opportunity and receive:

• Name and logo on program materials dedicated to the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize at Leman
• Mention in press release
• Opportunity to participate in the student professional development workshop at Leman Conference
• Participation in networking events to meet the student-finalists who will be presenting at the Morrison Swine Innovator session

 Sponsors will play an active role in networking events with the students and may serve on the judging panel for the Morrison Swine Innovator Prize recipient. Sponsors may use the workshop as an opportunity to recruit students for the following summer internships.