An innovative partnership between Gadsden State Cherokee and Auburn University’s Department of Poultry Science allows students to pursue a degree and a career in poultry science.
“The 2+2 Poultry Science Program gives students the opportunity to complete their freshmen and sophomore years at Gadsden State Cherokee and their junior and senior years at Auburn,” said Sen. Phil Williams, who was instrumental in forming the educational partnership. “It will result in a bachelor’s degree in Poultry Science.”
Williams spoke at a luncheon held Nov. 3 at Gadsden State Cherokee for high school agriculture teachers and students.
“We want to encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.
Other guest speakers included Sen. Clay Scofield, Rep. Richard Lindsey and Dr. Wallace Berry from Auburn University’s Department of Poultry Science. Harold Hunt, complex manager of Koch Foods in Gadsden and the president of the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, was the keynote speaker.
“You can write your own ticket if you go into poultry science,” he said. “The sky is the limit.”
Starting salary for a poultry science graduate is between $42,000 and $47,500, said Berry, who is an associate professor at Auburn.
“The poultry industry can be lucrative but jobs are hard to fill,” he said. “Every poultry science graduate we have at Auburn gets an average of five job offers each. We have 100 percent in job placement among our graduates.”
To attract students to the 2+2 Poultry Science Program, Gadsden State is offering scholarship awards in the amount of 13 credit hours each for Fall 2017. The scholarship is open to all students enrolled in Gadsden State’s Poultry Science Program. They must take the Poultry Production course (AGP130) during the fall semester, and they must have a 2.5 grade point average or better.
A Gadsden State General Scholarship Application as well as a description of educational and career goals must be completed by June 1. To get the application, go to www.gadsdenstate.edu. Click on Future Students, and click on Scholarship.
For more information, call Tonya Douthitt, career counselor at Gadsden State Cherokee, at 256-927-1807.
