April 28 marked CAFNR’s 18th annual Monticello Society Brunch. Held in the Champagne Ballroom on South Providence in Columbia, it was a wonderful time for folks to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.
The Monticello Society was established in 2001 and was so named to honor the commitment of Thomas Jefferson to higher education and his belief in the importance of agriculture. Through the Monticello Society, the College shows its gratitude to major benefactors, whose commitment to secure the future of the College and affirm the importance of American agriculture in today’s global economy set the standard for all our donors.
David Patterson, professor of animal sciences, was the special guest speaker. His research in beef reproduction and genomics laid the ground work for the Missouri Show-Me Select Replacement Heifer Program. His presentation highlighted the program’s success and economic impact on Missouri’s economy, which has exceeded $150 million over the last 20 years.
CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert and his wife Katie enjoyed the event for the first time. Dean Daubert proudly recognized the following folks for their philanthropy: New annual members Jim English and Charlene Boyes, who support the Plant Sciences Excellence Fund, and Shibu and Sheena Jose, who support the Tom and Alice Payne Scholarship in CAFNR, Agroforestry Excellence Fund, the Sarah Huber Scholarship for Wildlife Biology, the SNR Alliance and the School of Natural Resources Excellence Fund; new sustaining members Al and Linda Kennett, who support the Al Kennett Scholarship in CAFNR, the MU Ag 100, the David E. Baker Extension Leadership Award, the Meats Judging Gift Fund, the Animal Sciences Post-Doctoral Travel Fund and the CAFNR Dean’s Excellence Fund, and Wyatt and Stacey Thompson, who support the Womack Fund for Excellence in Agriculture, the Duane Dailey Student Enrichment Fund and the FAPRI Excellence Fund, as well as KBIA and the Museum of Art and Archaeology; and new distinguished fellows Pat Westhoff and Elena Vega, who support the FAPRI Excellence Fund, and the Trisha Westhoff Yauk Scholarship they established in memory of Pat’s sister.
Christopher and Katie Daubert were recognized as new sustaining members as well for their commitment to support unrestricted funds in each of the six CAFNR divisions.
Katie St. Pierre, Colton Spencer, Blaire Todd
Students Katie St. Pierre, Colton Spencer and Blaire Todd, who served as emcee.
Wyatt and Stacey Thompson new Sustaining members
Wyatt and Stacey Thompson, new sustaining members, with Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert.
Shibu and Sheena Jose new annual members
Sheena and Shibu Jose, new annual members, with Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert.
Pat Westhoff and Elena Vega new Distinguished Fellow members
Pat Westhoff and Elena Vega, new distinguished fellow members, with Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert.
Kuekers and Webers
Emily Kueker, Alan Weber, Doug Kueker and Karen Weber.
Josh Ebbesmeyer, Chuck and Ina Rae Brazeale
Student Josh Ebbesmeyer with Ina Rae and Chuck Brazeale.
Jim English and Charlene Boyes new annual members
Charlene Boyes and Jim English, new annual members, with Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert.
Fred Martz and daughter
Fred Martz and daughter Connie Weable.
Chris and Katie Daubert new sustaining members
CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert and wife Katie, new sustaining members, with Marc Linit, senior associate dean for research and extension.
Bill Riggins and Janice Kayden
Janice Kayden and Bill Riggins with student Cheyann Ellis.
Al and Linda Kennett new sustaining members
Linda and Al Kennett, new sustaining members, with Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert.