Advancement

Column Award recipients

Nov. 11, 2024

Celebrating our distinguished alumni: CAFNR Column Awards 2024

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. Forestry ’80 David Larsen is a Professor Emeritus of Forestry at the University of Missouri.
Shawn speaks to the crowd at the gift announcement.

Sep. 17, 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 16, 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. 21, 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 1, 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…
Litton Hall name plate on the side of ASRC

Oct. 23, 2022

A Genetic Pioneer

Jerry Litton's dedication to data advanced the Charolais breed on a national stage.
Photo of Doug Kueker. White man with dark brown hair, wearing a navy suit jacket and light button up underneath

May 22, 2022

Doug Kueker Receives Citation of Merit from CAFNR Alumni Association

The Citation of Merit award is for professional attainment by a person in a field related to the academic curriculum of a division of the University of Missouri.
Derek Coats

May 22, 2022

Derek Coats Receives Honorary Membership from CAFNR Alumni Association

An honorary member shall be a person who is not a former student, but who, because of an exemplary interest in the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, is designated by action of the board of directors to be so recognized and honored.
Dustin Johansen

May 22, 2022

Dustin Johansen Honored as Past President of CAFNR Alumni Association

Johansen served as president of the organization from May 2021-May 2022.
Ernie Verslues, president and CEO of MFA Incorporated, recently shared what he’s learned as a leader of a major company through CAFNR’s Executive-in-Residence program. Verslues was on the University of Missouri campus April 12-13, where he met with students through class lectures, roundtable discussions, one-on-one meetings and other informal interactions.

April 18, 2022

Helping to Develop Future Leaders

Ernie Verslues recently shared his experiences as a leader through CAFNR’s Executive-in-Residence program.