"As a proud Cornell alumnus, I am thrilled to be able to give back to the university that has played such a significant role in shaping my career in dairy science,” said Corwin Holtz.
“Debby and I are honored to support the next generation of dairy science students through this gift. We hope that it will help provide them with practical learning experiences to prepare them for success in their future careers. We believe that investing in these students is an investment in the future of animal agriculture, and we are excited to be a part of that."
Corwin Holtz earned a degree in dairy science from California Polytechnic State University and worked in the AI industry before returning home to run a dairy farm. After five years, he decided to further his education and enrolled in a master’s program at Cornell's Department of Animal Science. His interest in nutrition and reproduction led him to R. David Smith and Charlie Sniffen, both of whom he found practical and committed to student mentorship. Holtz completed his master's degree in 1986 at Cornell and continued to teach dairy in the Dairy Fellows program for five years. Debby spent much of her career teaching in the Dryden Central School district.
Holtz eventually started his own independent consulting company, but Cornell and the Dairy Fellows program remained a significant part of his life. Now, the Holtz’s look to leave a lasting legacy at Cornell. They hope to help undergraduates gain practical experience through internship opportunities and funding for experiential learning.
Tom Overton, chair and professor in the department of Animal Science stated, "we are incredibly grateful to Corwin and Debby for their generous gift, which will help to create meaningful opportunities for Cornell undergraduate dairy students. Corwin and Debby are lifelong educators, and young people's development has been their passion. This gift will help accomplish just that. We are excited to see the impact that it will have on our student's lives and careers."
