Select Sires Inc. welcomes six interns eager to learn more about the A.I. industry. Veterinary interns Claire Lutz and Matthew Holton will learn from staff veterinarians and
livestock teams to perform routine herd health checks. Mackenzie Corbin will assist with day-to-day care and collection of sires as a livestock technician intern. Abigail Foster will expand her research and quality control knowledge as the semen processing and research laboratory technician intern. Ansley Kozarec will refine her communications skills while expanding her copywriting, photography and graphic design skillsets as the corporate communications intern. Eleanor Enright will work with teams throughout the federation as the talent development intern.
“We offer internships in all divisions of Select Sires,” said David Thorbahn, president and CEO of Select Sires Inc. “It is this breadth and depth of our internship experience that allows students to focus on their specific interests and passions. We try to tailor internship experiences to the interest of each student, often creating individual experiences to fit the needs of the student and company.”
Originally from Hugo, Minnesota, Claire Lutz, a third-year veterinary student at the University of Minnesota, will work as a veterinary intern. Lutz completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she majored in dairy science with a minor in chemistry. Outside of her veterinary school commitments, Lutz serves as treasurer for the Production Animal Medicine Club and is a member of the Christian Veterinary Fellowship Club. In addition, she works for the University of Minnesota’s blood lab that provides essential services to the dairy facility. Lutz joins the Select Sires veterinary department with a wealth of experience through her time working at the university and shadowing local large animal veterinarians within her hometown. Lutz is no stranger to the dairy or agriculture industry. She grew up on a dairy farm and continued to stay involved in agricultural events while completing her undergraduate degree. During her time at Select Sires, Lutz will shadow Elizabeth Lahmers, DVM, Justin Tank, DVM and other individuals on the veterinary team to provide health care for the bulls at the Plain City, Ohio facilities.
Matthew Holton, a Dawsonville, Georgia native, is joining the Select Sires team as a veterinary intern. Holton will enter his third year as a veterinary student at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine this fall. While in veterinary school, Holton stays involved through service as the Omega Tau Sigma Professional Veterinary Fraternity president, treasurer of the Student Chapter of American Association of Bovine Practitioners, president of the Theriogenology Club, team captain of the Bovine Palpation team and works as an ambassador for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to veterinary school, Holton obtained a Master of Science in Animal Science with an emphasis in bovine reproductive physiology from the University of Georgia. Through his internship experiences, Holton hopes to learn more about the veterinarian’s role in the semen collection process.
Mackenzie Corbin, from Greenfield, Ohio, will be joining Select Sires as a livestock technician intern at the Darby Creek facility. Corbin attends Wilmington College where she will be a sophomore in the fall. Corbin is studying agricultural business and is involved in the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, Aggies Collegiate 4-H, Ag Ed Society and serves as an admissions ambassador for the college. Corbin’s background in agriculture, including her experiences through FFA, helped to prepare her for the livestock technician internship. Throughout the summer, Corbin will assist with all facets of care for the sires at Select Sires.
From Farmersville, Ohio, Ansley Kozarec joins the communications department as the corporate communications intern. Kozarec is entering her senior year at The Ohio State University, majoring in animal science with a minor in agricultural communications. As a student, Kozarec serves as secretary to the Saddle and Sirloin Livestock Club, director of public relations to Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority and dedicates time as a peer mentor for the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She has gained experience managing social media platforms as well as graphic design. Her passion for the agriculture industry started at a young age. She grew up showing pigs across the state and U.S. through 4-H and was heavily involved in her local FFA chapter. Kozarec’s roles this summer include designing and creating Select Sires’ breeding calendars, assisting with crafting social media posts and helping with photography and videography.
From Wakefield, Rhode Island, Abigail Foster will be the semen processing and research laboratory technician intern. Foster is a 2024 graduate of Oklahoma State University with a major in animal science and a minor in agribusiness and economics. While completing her undergraduate degree, Foster was involved in the Dairy Science Club, Collegiate 4-H Club, Butter Churning Club and Special Olympics. Foster joins the Select Sires team with a plethora of experience including professional A.I. training. She was an FFA state officer, competed in Dairy Challenge and participated in quiz bowls through Oklahoma State. This summer Foster will spend her time assisting Select Sires’ laboratory technicians with semen processing and research.
Joining from Yardley, Pennsylvania, Eleanor Enright will serve as this year’s talent development intern. In the fall, Enright will be a junior at Colorado State University where she is studying animal science. Enright is an ambassador for the College of Agricultural Sciences, a meat processing technician at Colorado State’s Global Food Innovation Center and a member of Colorado State’s honors program. Enright has gained strong communication skills and teamwork abilities. Despite not growing up in the agriculture industry, Enright’s college experiences have allowed her to develop a passion for the industry, especially in cattle genetics and reproduction. This summer, Enright will be working with the talent development team to create courses for Select University and explore all aspects of Select Sires Inc.