UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Megan Zipprich, an animal science major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, was among the 10 recipients of the All-American Livestock Judging Award during the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest, held in November in Louisville, Kentucky.
The All-American program was initiated by the Livestock Judging Team Coaches’ Association and the American Society of Animal Science to recognize students who have made a commitment to livestock judging and excelled in academic performance, university and industry activities, and community service. The 10 honorees, representing six universities, make up the 2025 team. The average grade-point average of this year’s recipients is 3.93.
“Being named a livestock judging All-American is a rare honor,” said Rebecca Krisher, head of the Department of Animal Science. “From a record number of applicants, Megan is only the second Penn Stater to be selected for this award, the first being Alli Jobe, the current livestock judging coach. Our department is proud to list Megan among our most accomplished undergraduate students.”
Zipprich, of Lenox, explained how important the award was to her and the dedication put into receiving it.
“The award reflects many multifaceted hours of hard work, balancing schoolwork with clubs, extracurriculars and managing everything while traveling across the country with the livestock judging team,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have coaches, teammates and classmates who helped me reach that goal, and the achievement will serve as motivation for me to continue to hold myself to a high standard in and out of the classroom.”
She said she chose Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences because of the many opportunities for students to pursue their unique interests.
At Penn State, she is service chair and former vice president of the Block and Bridle Club; treasurer for the Collegiate Cattlewomen’s Club; vice president of the Coaly Society, the college’s honorary leadership society; and a member of Gamma Sigma Delta and the American Society of Animal Science.
Zipprich attended the American Royal Livestock Judging Contest, held in October in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of the Penn State Livestock Judging Team.
The Penn State team placed 16th overall, with individual species rankings of 10th in sheep and goats, 16th in cattle and 16th in swine. Zipprich placed seventh overall in sheep and goats — marking the first time a Penn State student has broken into the top 10 in that category since 2013.
“Getting my name called was something I would not have believed I could achieve at the start of the season, as someone who had never participated in livestock judging before this year,” she said. “Learning that I was the first Penn State student to reach that goal since 2013 made the moment even more special, as I was incredibly proud to have been able to represent Penn State at that level.”
In addition to her extracurricular activities, Zipprich serves as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab of Kevin Harvatine, professor of nutritional physiology, where she assists with a project examining the effects of bovine diets on milk fatty acid composition. She has worked with and shadowed veterinarians at two clinics and plans to attend veterinary school and pursue a career in rural veterinary medicine.
Zipprich encourages those interested in agriculture and livestock to join the livestock judging program.
“Competing on a judging team is one of the best decisions they can make if they want to build invaluable skills, lifelong friendships, work ethic and confidence all fueled by a passion for agriculture,” she said.