Club Awards
Each year the Block & Bridle Club awards a select few members for being Hardworking in honor of influencers of our club:
James L. Watkins Hard Working Rookie Award
A native of Bedford County, James Lowell Watkins was a strong supporter of the Block & Bridle Club, having been a member as an undergraduate. Watkins received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Penn State. He was an assistant professor of Animal Science and managed the Meats Laboratory, working closely with students in meat-related courses. He worked extensively with the club, helping with meals for picnics, banquets, and barbecues. He coached Penn State's Meats Judging Team, was a member of Delta Theta Sigma and was a director and long time Secretary-Treasurer of the Penn State Stockmen's Club.
- This year's recipient is Nathan Swope!
Brighton Feeds Hard Working Sophomore Award
Roger Allgeier was born and raised in rural Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was instrumental in forming the first 4-H Horse club in that country in 1960. In 1965, he was the manager of the Penn State 48th Little International. During his time at Penn State, he was active in the DTS Ag Fraternity, the Block & Bridle Club and both the Meats and Livestock Judging Teams under the coaching of Glenn Kean and Herman Purdy, respectively. After Allgeier's graduation in 1965, he went west to Colorado and was the herdsman on different Angus ranges in that state. He married Verna Cope in 1971 and they moved to Benson, Arizona to work on a ranch there and continued to be involved in Angus beef production. They enjoyed that area immensely but in 1973 they had an opportunity to purchase their own retail feed business. They moved back to Colorado and purchased a small shop at 370 N. Main. They expanded Brighton Feed and Saddlery many times into an amazing saddle and tack shop. Farrier supplies were also an integral part of their retail store as well as horse racing equipment and western home decor. In 1988, they started McCall Saddle Co. with a partner and were deeply involved in designing, selling, and distributing that line for over 18 years. Brighton Feed and Saddlery has been on the forefront of the industry stocking over 400 saddles for over 44 years. Roger continues to be involved in saddle fit and design under the Powder River Saddle Co. name.
- This year's recipient is David Schultheis!
Glenn R. Kean Hard Working Junior Award
Glenn R. Kean grew up in Dempseytown, PA where his family had a small dairy farm. After graduating from Oil City Senior High School in 1939, he went on to attend Penn State University focusing on Dairy Husbandry. Kean was a student worker at the dairy barns working long nights as a milker and general laborer. He served on the Dairy Cattle Judging Team, Livestock Judging Team, and Meats Judging Team. Glenn Kean was an active member of the Dairy Science Club and the Block & Bridle Club. He won the honor of Grand Champion Fitter in the 1940 Dairy Exposition and was the 1942 Little International Grand Champion Showman.
After graduating, he went on to serve in the U.S. Army Airborne Infantry until discharged with the rank of Captain in 1947. He returned to Penn State to Work under the guidance of Dr. William Henning where he founded the work on hothouse lamb production, earning his Masters of Science in Animal Husbandry for his research. He accepted an instructorship, which promoted him to an assistant professor in the summer of 1951 then he became a full-time professor in the summer of 1974.
Kean taught classes in Meat Science, Introduction to Animal Sciences, Beef cattle management and the Livestock Management Special problems course. He served as acting Animal Science department head between 1955-1959 until being appointed as the University's Primary Meats Extension Specialist in 1973. He served as Coach and Assistant coach of the Meat Judging Team, Advisor to Ag Student Council, Faculty advisor to Delta Theta Sigma, and served as Advisor to the Block & Bridle Club for 28 years. Professor Kean shared his passion for the livestock industry and community service throughout his years at Penn State with the millions of students he inspired everyday.
- This year's recipient is Lydia Brown!
Grant Sherritt Hard Working Senior Award
Dr. Grant Sherritt was the Penn State Swine Coordinator and Instructor at Penn State. He served as coordinator of student advisors for the Animal Science department. Sherritt was from Hunter, North Dakota where his family raised Shorthorn cattle and Yorkshire hogs, He received his bachelors of science from North Dakota State University, where he was an active member of the North Dakota State University's Block & Bridle Club. He received his masters from Iowa State University and his Doctorate from the University of Illinois. He taught courses in Swine Management, Breed History, Livestock Marketing, and Introduction to Livestock Management during his time as an instructor. Dr. Grant Sherritt gave his time and attention to students as well as the Penn State Block and Bridle Club throughout his time at the Penn State University.
- This year's recipient is Lillian Corbett!
CONGRATS TO ALL!!!
