Advancement

Former Gov. Michael Parson speaks at the event celebrating the groundbreaking of the building in his name. Other speakers included (left to right): CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert; University of Missouri President Mun Choi; Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture Chris Chinn; UM System Curator Chair Todd Graves; Gov. Mike Kehoe; and Director of the Mizzou Division of Animal Sciences Bryon Wiegand.

April 18, 2025

University of Missouri breaks ground on The Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory, announces additional gift for project

Today, the University of Missouri broke ground on The Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory. 
Lindley Bennett

Dec. 16, 2024

Lindley Bennett
Mary Agnes and Al McQuinn at a podium with MU banner behind them.

Nov. 22, 2024

The gratitude of latitude

Alumnus Al McQuinn establishes a legacy at Mizzou.
Column Award recipients

Nov. 12, 2024

Celebrating our distinguished alumni: CAFNR Column Awards 2024

From left to right: David Larsen, Jonathan Dyer, Blake Hurst, Joel Spencer and Julian Lenis. Not pictured: Kendra Kattelmann. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources honored six recipients with the 2024 CAFNR Column Award for Distinguished Alumni. This is the only award specifically for alumni presented by the college – the highest honor bestowed by the College in celebration of outstanding alumni. The awardee class includes one graduate from each of CAFNR’s six divisions, reflecting the six historic columns at the University of Missouri. View the event photo album. School of Natural ResourcesDavid LarsenB.S. Forestry ’78, M.S.
Shawn speaks to the crowd at the gift announcement.

Sep. 18, 2024

Estate gift to establish Mizzou scholarship fund, honor the importance of agriculture education

The gift, which was given to CAFNR, was celebrated at a Sept. 17 event.
Portrait of Ernie Verslues in dark suit and bright tie

April 17, 2024

Ernie Verslues honored with Mumford Award for Distinguished Service at 2024 Celebration of Excellence

Ernie Verslues, president and CEO of MFA, Inc., received CAFNR’s 2024 Mumford Award for Distinguished Service as part of the Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 16.  
Dean and Michelle pose with award

Feb. 22, 2024

Michelle Niemeyer Named Driver to Distinction

CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert surprised Michelle Niemeyer, executive assistant, with a CAFNR Driver to Distinction award in honor of her exceptional work in CAFNR Advancement. She received a trophy from Daubert during the CAFNR faculty and staff meeting Feb. 20, 2024.
Steward T.A. Pickett met with a handful of classes, including soil morphology and environmental horticulture, during his Executive-in-Residence Program visit. He shared a lot of advice with CAFNR students, highlighting the variety of careers that ecologists can pursue as well the importance of thinking outside of the box.

April 2, 2023

Sharing Advice

As a child, Steward T.A. Pickett would travel to various Boy Scout camps with his father, who served as a unit leader. While Pickett would participate in a handful of organized activities, he was also free to do his own exploring since he wasn’t part of a troop. It was during those excursions that he found his passion for ecology. Pickett has spent his career as an ecologist and is currently a distinguished senior scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York. He recently spent a few days at the University of Missouri as part of…
Family posing for a photograph at an awards ceremony. Everyone dressed in black and gold.

March 10, 2023

CAFNR Celebrates Women’s History Month: Q&A with Stacey Follis

Stacey Follis shared the moment with her family as she received the 2022 CAFNR Column Award for Animal Sciences last fall. Stacey L. (Wood) Follis (BS Agriculture – Minor in Animal Sciences ’98; MS Animal Sciences – Reproductive Physiology ’00) has been employed in the animal health industry for more than 22 years. Her focus is in clinical development with a wide spectrum of experience, from bovine to feline to canine to swine, contributing to more than 30 product indications. Follis started her career with Pharmacia & Upjohn in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has not technically changed employers since, although…
Lisa Williams

Feb. 16, 2023

Lisa Williams

Lisa works with the Division of Animal Sciences; the Division of Biochemistry; the Division of Plant Science and Technology; and the forestry area of the School of Natural Resources.