Penn State Animal Science Major Earns Rare All-American Livestock Judging Honor

By Sean Duke

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.”