During the 71st annual meeting of the National Dairy Shrine, Dr. Dennis Funk, Sun Prairie, Wis. was elected president of the board of directors. In addition, Matt Iager, DVM, Boonsboro, Md., was elected president-elect.

During the meeting, which was held virtually due to the cancellation of World Dairy Expo, a new slate of board members was also named. This includes: Kate Geppert, Kingdom City, Mo., Jodi Hoynoski, Brattleboro, Vt., Dr. Vikram Mistry, Brookings, S.D., Dr. Sheila McGuirk, Dodgeville, Wis., Carol Regusci, Modesto, Calif., and Brittany Heizer, Snow Camp, N.C. Returning board members include: Bonnie Bargstedt, Valatie, N.Y., Randy Gross Sr., Elkton, S. D., Linda Hanson, Goodridge, Minn., Joel Hastings, Madera, Calif., Stan Henderson, Paso Robles, Calif.., James Huffard, Crockett, Va., Rita Kennedy, Valencia, Pa., Dan Schimek, Eagle Lake, Minn, Royce Thornton, Wooster, Ohio, and Karen Wheatley, Crumpton, Md.

Six board members retired from the board at the annual meeting. Those individuals include: Jim Dickrell, Monticello, Minn., Larry Schirm, Laurelville, Ohio, Fowler Branstetter, Edmonton, Ky., Tim Abbott, Enosburg, Vt., Ken Raney, State College, Pa., and Leah Ziemba, Madison, Wis.

While the meeting was virtual, more than $37,000 in scholarships was awarded to 32 outstanding college students. Adult award winners were also recognized, although formal recognition is planned for the 2021 awards banquet.

A new approach to membership outreach and corporate sponsorships was also discussed during the meeting. A new monthly enewsletter for members will begin in October to further the organization’s mission and increase regular contact with members. In addition, a new corporate sponsorship program will be put in place to encourage greater support of the organization. Anyone who wishes to become a new member, or support the organization in other ways, should contact Mike Opperman, Executive Director, at info@dairyshrine.org.