CAFNR Connections Mentor

CAFNR Connections

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Publications

Dec. 2007: Vol. 2, No. 3
June 2007: Vol. 2, No. 2
April 2007: Vol. 2, No. 1
Dec. 2006: Vol. 1, No. 4
Aug. 2006: Vol. 1, No. 3
June 2006: Vol. 1, No. 2
Feb. 2006: Vol. 1, No. 1

Scott Cowger

Scott Cowger says that he volunteered to be a mentor so that he could repay in some small way the invaluable experience he had while a student at CAFNR.

Coming from Savannah, Mo., Cowger says his experience was invaluable not only because of the schoolwork, networking opportunities and extracurricular activities, but also due to the fact that he was fortunate enough to have a scholarship that paid for his entire freshman year.

Cowger graduated in 1992 with degrees in food science and nutrition and just nine hours shy of a degree in animal science. He is now vice president of key accounts at Cereal Ingredients, a company that makes foodstuffs look and taste better. Among their many products, they produce muffin mixes, all manner of flavored particulates and swirl effects in baked goods.

For all his success, Cowger has fond memories of his time at CAFNR.

"It was great," Cowger says. "I joined Alpha Gamma Rho and did a lot of horse and meat judging as part of Block and Bridle."

Cowger says that, unlike some degrees that people get, he employs the degrees he received every day. He also credits the educational and social experiences he had as a student with helping him to become a well-rounded individual.

The two summers he spent as an intern at American Cyanimid provided him with the kind of general work experience that he considers to be one of the essentials to finding employment after college.

Along with practical experience, Cowger suggests that students make other preparations for life after school.

"Do research," Cowger says. "Get involved with professional organizations and get to know people. You should stay up to date with the industry you are interested in. Get involved and be well-rounded because, though bookwork is important, social aspects are equally so."

Cowger decided to get involved after he came back to CAFNR to do a food sciences presentation and participated in an on-campus career panel in November of 2006. Professor James Spain didn't have Cowger as a student, but asked him to become a mentor after witnessing his presentation at the food sciences conference.

"I met Scott when he was participating as a member of an alumni panel visiting with our students majoring in Food Science about careers," Spain says. "I was struck by Scott's 'story' on how he got to where he is professionally and the sage advice he provided to the students during his remarks. Success begets success, and having our students interact with Scott would provide our students with a great resource through his insights and experiences."