Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award

The Science in Practice Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated promising research productivity in production and disease and contributed to the creation and dissemination of new knowledge for the betterment of the swine industry. The recipient of the award is a veterinarian who applies and adapts research into the field.

Recipients

2025 - Christine Mainquist-Whigham

2024 - Matt Allerson

2023 - Tom Petznick

2022 - Carissa Odland

2021 - Egan Brockhoff

2020 – Clayton Johnson

2019 – Nathan Winkelman

2018 − Rebecca Robbins

2017 − Bob Thompson

2016 − Deb Murray

2015 − Jeremy Pittman

2014 − Luc Dufresne

2013 − Lisa Tokach

2012 − Julie Menard

2011 − Gordon Spronk

2010 − Paul Yeske

2009 − Laura Batista

2008 − Rodger Main

2007 − Jim Lowe

2006 − Paul Schneider

2005 − Darwin Reicks

2004 − Joseph Connor

2003 − Montserrat Torremorell

2002 − Luciano Roppa

2001 − Tim Loula

2000 − Mike Muirhead

1999 − John Harding

1998 − Alberto Stephano

1997 − Roy Schultz

1996 − Scott Dee

1995 − Camille Moore

1994 − Steve Henry

Morrison Lectureship

The Morrison Lectureship is given in honor of Dr. Bob Morrison to individuals that do work that matters to the swine industry.

The Morrison Lectureship is named in honor of Dr. Bob Morrison for his work in the areas of swine disease epidemiology and factors that drive productivity and economics in the swine industry. Throughout his distinguished professional career, Dr. Bob Morrison was an integral part of the swine community as a practitioner, professor, swine producer, researcher, veterinarian, mentor, and valued colleague and friend to many. 

Bob received his DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, in 1976 followed by his PhD and MBA from the University of Minnesota. Bob received many awards during his career, including being named one of the Masters of the Pork Industry in 2016 by the National Hog Farmer. His work at the University of Minnesota helped lead the industry in the control of important diseases of swine from pseudorabies to PRRS, PED, and beyond.  

Bob’s drive and passion invigorated everyone he touched and was evident in all aspects of his life and work. He ably combined grace, sincerity, kindness, humor, and a great vitality. He had a boundless sense of curiosity, with which he guided us to seek out answers with him. Dr. Morrison created the Swine Health Monitoring Project, which provides the ability for the swine industry to detect and address emerging pathogens while delivering value and support to the program participants. Bob strongly believed in the importance of the MSHMP and its underlying mission to aid the swine community to improve animal health. Dr. Morrison led the organization of the Leman Conference in the United States and China. He died on May 2, 2017, in a tragic car accident in the Czech Republic.

Lecturers

2025 - Luke Minion: From supply focused to demand obsessed

2024 - Brian Buhr: Leman: Fifty years of the network effect, an economic
perspective

2023 - Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt: Improving biosecurity through Bob Morrison’s legacy

2022 - Jerry Torrison: FADs,...Are we ready (together)?

2021 - Dennis DiPietre: A very different future coming for pork producers

2020 - Hanor: Value Added Pork Production

2019 - Terry Coffey: Across the Smithfield Pork Chain

2018 - Brad Freking: New Fashion Pork: Our Integrated History
 

Pijoan Lectureship

The Pijoan Lectureship is named in honor of Dr. Carlos Pijoan for his work in the area of swine respiratory disease and the influence of swine production systems on the dynamics of microorganisms such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Haemophilus parasuis, Streptococcus suis, and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Dr. Pijoan received his veterinary degree from the National University of Mexico in 1969 and his PhD from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom in 1973. In 1982, he joined the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, where he was the founder and director of the Swine Disease Eradication Center and a professor in the Veterinary Population Medicine department.

Dr. Pijoan’s many honors and awards included the Norden Teaching Excellence Award in 1991, the Mark of Excellence Award in 2001, the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence in 2002, and Best Teacher awards in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Dr. Pijoan died on Jan. 9, 2007, after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Lecturers

2025 - Pedro Urriola: Blind men and the pig: Challenging our understanding of sustainable pork systems

2024 - Noelle Noyes: Engineering the microbiome: Can we harness the hidden heroes of livestock production?

2023 - Kim VanderWaal: Chasing a moving target: Rapid evolution and spread of PRRSV in the U.S.

2022 - Bill Christianson: PRRS resistance through gene editing - The path to market

2021 - Declan Schroeder: Insights gained from the field of virus ecology and evolution provides new tools to mitigate against the impact of African Swine Fever virus

2020 - Paul Yeske: The swine producer's and veterinarian's response to COVID-19

2019 – Connie Gebhart: Streptococcus suis

2018 – Michael Murtaugh: 30 Years of PRRS: A Platform for Progress

2016 − Peter Davies: Antibiotic Use in Swine Production—Where Is It At and Where Is It Going?

2015 − Linda Saif: Global Threats to Humans and Animals

2014 − Dick Hesse: Recent Emergency of Swine Coronaviruses in North America

2013 − Noel Williams: Optimizing Throughput and Efficiency in Production Systems

2012 − John Patience: A Critical Look at the Science Underlying Feed Efficiency

2011 − George Foxcroft: Genes Gametes and Gestation Outcomes—Essential Links in a Successful Breeding Management Program

2010 − Mike Tokach: Where Has All the Research Gone?

2009 − Kristien Van Reeth: Pigs and Pandemic Influenza: Myths Versus Facts

2008 − Paul Yeske, Michael Murtaugh: Epidemiology of a New PRRS Virus Isolate and Outbreak

2007 − Scott Dee: Area Spread of PRRSV: End of Story? 

Morrison Swine Innovator Prize

The Morrison Swine Innovator Prize honors the legacy of Dr. Bob Morrison by inspiring DVM students to pursue work that matters for the swine industry and, in doing so, to follow his mantra of  “Learn. Teach. Have fun.” It is part of a suite of initiatives the College is launching to serve the needs of tomorrow’s swine industry.

Awardees

2025 - Kaydance Hinn, University of Minnesota

2024 - Savannah Thomson, Michigan State University

2023 - Carly Bates, Iowa State University

2022 - Hunter Everett, North Carolina State University

2021 - Kaci Way, The Ohio State University

2020 - Zack Talbert, University of Illinois

2019 - Zack Talbert, University of Illinois

2018 - Megan Bloemer, University of Illinois

Beer and Bacon Conversations 

In this unique session an industry leader is invited to share personal views and experiences with participants in a fun and relaxed environment.

Speakers

2025 − Laura Bruner

2024 − Lisa Tokach

2023 − Mike Eisenmenger

2022 − Tara Donovan

2021 − Peter Davies

2019 − Luke Minion

2018 − Matthew Turner

Hanson Lectures

The Hanson Lecture is named in honor of Dr. James Hanson, a 1953 graduate of the Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Hanson had a practice in Saint Peter, MN, before he became the director of the continuing education program at the College in 1967. He was instrumental in collaborating with Dr. Allen Leman in "initiating an annual swine conference with the goal of presenting new, research-based information on issues important to the swine industry." Today, this event is known as the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference.

Hanson Lectures have included:

2016 − Paul Ruen; Changes in Antimicrobial Use—Practitioner

2015 − No award

2014 − Mark Engle; What Else Is On Our Radar Screen

2013 − Peter Davies; Livestock Associated MRSA: Tiger or Pussycat?

2012 − No award

2011 − Montserrat Torremorell; What Should We Do About Flu?

2010 − Scott Dee; Elimination of PRRSV from North America: Uniting the Clans! 

2009 − Tom Stein; Pork Production Information Systems and Data Analysis – Back to the Future 

2008 − Marie Culhane; The Ongoing Challenge of Flu 

2007 − Steve Dritz; The Science of Pig Production: Past, Present and Future 

2006 − Bill Christianson; The Paradox of Increasing Mortality and Health Expenditures 

2005 − Joseph Connor; Biosecurity and Studs 

2004 − Gordon Spronk; What Baseball Can Teach Us About Raising Pigs 

2003 − Gary Dial; Driving Costs Out of a Production System 

2002 − Jane Christopher-Hennings; Case presentation in the Disease Diagnostic Session 

2001 − Dr. Earl Thompson; Conversation with Earl Thompson: Challenges and Rewards of Practicing in Developing Countries 

1999 − Beth Lautner; The Aftermath of the Crisis-Rethinking the Chain Approach 

1998 − Tom Wetzell; The New Paradigm for Veterinary Practices 

1997 − Mike Osterholm; How the Changing Environment Creates New Problems in Humans 

1996 − Tim Loula; How We Help Our Clients Reach Their Potential 

1995 − Gordon Spronk; A State of Becoming 

1994 − L. Kirk Clark; Off-site Early Weaning and Mycoplasma 

1993 − Connie Schmidt; Evolution of the Veterinarian’s Role in the Management of Swine Diseases 

1992 − Harv Hilley; Life After Pigs: Lessons Relevant to Hog Production

1991 − Sylvie D’Allaire; Sow Culling and Mortality

Kernkamp Lectures

The Kernkamp Lecture was created in recognition of Dr. Howard Carl Henry Kernkamp’s contributions to swine disease research. “Kernie,” as he was affectionately known, became interested in swine diseases early in his professional life and was best known for his research in hog cholera, swine influenza, swine brucellosis, and the enteritis complex of swine. He was the author of over 30 articles and became known worldwide as a pathologist. He will also be remembered for his talent of recalling and describing the history and significance of events in the development of Minnesota's veterinary medical profession, and his wit, humor, and “Kernie” dialect when telling some of his “tall tales.” They were “truths," only slightly embellished to make them more effective. 

Dr. Kernkamp attended the School of Agriculture at the University of Minnesota before entering the College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University. While a veterinary student he worked summers at the State Anti-Hog Cholera Serum Plant on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in Saint Paul. Upon receiving his DVM degree in 1914 he was appointed instructor in the Division of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota. He was assigned to the Diagnosis Laboratory and the Serum Plant, and later he was promoted to oversight of the Serum Plant. Dr. Kernkamp was acting assistant dean 1953−54 and retired in 1960, after 46 years as a University of Minnesota faculty member. He died of a heart attack on November 4, 1987, at the age of 95.

2007 − Joaquim Segales, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Global, local and individual perspectives on porcine circovirus diseases (PCVD)

2006 − Jim Collins, U of MN; Pathogens and Their Role Evolve—A View from the Diagnostic Laboratory 

2005 − John Deen, U of MN; Rights, Lies and Videotape: Swine Welfare Today 

2004 − Jan Dahl, Danske Slagterier; Managing Swine Health at an Industry Level—Current Strategies for Old and New Diseases 

2002 − Aalt Dijkhuizen; The Future of the European Pork Chain 2003 Peter Davies; Waiting for Hurricanes—Risk, Research & the Science/Policy Interface 

2001 − Howard Hill; How to Meet Your Production Expectations 

1999 − Son Won Sohn; Global Perspective of the Economy and the Role of Agriculture 

1998 − Gary Dial, Iowa Falls, IA; Real World Lessons in Swine Production 

1997 − Al Tank, Washington, DC; Global Opportunities for Pork 

1996 − Mike Boehlje, Purdue University; Industrialization of the US Swine Industry 

1995 − Tom Alexander, United Kingdom; The Changing Aspects of Disease in the Modern Swine Industry

1994 − Jim Nelssen, Manhattan, KS; Nutritional Economics: Are you ready for the year 2000? 

1993 − D. L. (Hank) Harris; Future Role of the Veterinary Profession in the Swine Industry 

1992 − Jack Britt, North Carolina State University; Progress in Improving Fertility through Simultaneous Efforts in the Research Laboratory and on the Farm 

1991 − Prem Paul, Ames, Iowa; Biotechnological applications in Swine Disease 

1990 − Rodney G. Johnson, Morris, MN; Innovations in Swine Practice 

1989 − Ernie Sanford, Huron Port, Ontario; Diagnostics, the Diagnostic Laboratory and the Population Medicine Practitioner 

1988 − Al Leman, U of MN; Diagnosis and Treatment of Food Animal Educational Diseases 

1987 − Robert H. Dunlop, U of MN; Animal Agriculture—the Future? 

1986 − Mike Wilson, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph; The Need for Swine Practice Specialty Certification 

1985 − Ole Nielsen, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph; Curriculum Continuing Education for Food Animal  Medicine 

1984 − Marty Bergeland, U of MN; Diagnostic Medicine for the Swine Industry: The Challenges Ahead

1983 − Harley W. Moon, Ames, IA; Pathophysiology of Diarrhea 

1982 − David G. Thawley, U of MO; Epidemiology of Pseudorabies Virus: Current Knowledge 

1981 − Robert Glock, Central Arizona Vet Laboratory; Does a Herd Health Practice Need a Pathologist 

1980 − Lennart R. Backstrom, University of IL; The Interaction of Livestock Environment and Disease 

1979 − M. R. Muirhead, Beeford, England; The Art and Science of a Herd Health Practice 

1978 − Benjamin S. Pomeroy, U of MN; Disease Control Techniques in the Poultry Industry 

1977 − Erwin Scholl, University of Berne, Switzerland; Pork Production, Veterinary Practice and Pig Health Scheme in Switzerland 

1976 − J. Hulland, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph; Interpretive Pathology: The Ideal Teaching and Learning Simulation 

Breakfast Conversationalists

2017 − Bob Thompson

2016 − Joe Connor

2015 − Stephanie Rossow

2014 − Joe Connor

2013 − Mike Sheridan

2012 − Jim Dick

2011 − Howard Hill

2010 − Greg BeVier

2009 − Wayne Freese

2008 − Rodger Main

2007 − Derald Holtkamp

2006 − Herman Tripp

Distinguished Lecture

2018 − Alida Sorenson and Scott Dee

2017 − Tim Roufs

2016 − Alison Van Eenennaam

2015 − Rod Hamilton

2014 − Nate Hagens

2013 − Michael Swanson