When Alan and Susan Wessler met as undergraduate students at the University of Missouri in the 1970s, sparks didn’t exactly fly. 

“Well, we met of all things on a blind date, and we went to a football game,” Alan Wessler said. “We didn’t like each other.” 

Susan Wessler claims she was too short for Alan, and he was too shy for her liking. But inevitably, they formed a strong relationship that has lasted decades. 

“He got more talky,” Susan said. “I didn’t get any taller.” 

More than 50 years later, the Wesslers returned to campus to revisit a tradition that helped shape their college memories. 

A celebration across generations 

For the first time since 2004, CAFNR brought Barnwarmin’ back to campus Oct. 9, welcoming generations of alumni and current students to Trowbridge Livestock Arena. 

“It was a great experience for all the Aggies, Greeks and Independents to come together, have a good time and dance and just enjoy,” Alan said.  

Barnwarmin’ is one of the oldest traditions associated with CAFNR. Established in 1904, the event predates Mizzou’s celebrated Homecoming tradition by seven years, making it one of the university’s earliest and most enduring student traditions.

This year’s dinner and dance provided a catered meal, drinks from Broadway Brewery and a musical performance from the Kay Brothers. 

“It’s always good to come back to the place that got you started,” Alan said.  

Alan earned his animal husbandry degree from CAFNR in 1974 and graduated from Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977. Susan, on the other hand, was not a CAFNR student but won Barnwarmin’ queen as a representative of her sorority in 1974. 

“We went through interviews and then we did skits on the Jesse Hall stage,” Susan said. “It was a big deal.” 

Adorned in cowboy hats and a bandana, Alan and Susan wore similar outfits to their college Barnwarmin’ attire. 

“We used to wear bandanas and gingham, and this is authentic from the 1970s,” Susan said, pointing to the red bandana tied around her neck. 

Passing down a passion for agriculture 

For the Wesslers, Barnwarmin’ is about more than dancing and socializing. It’s also a celebration of the college that helped shape their family’s future. 

“The programs that CAFNR has for students are just quite a diverse set of opportunities,” Alan said. “The college has done a great job of helping students with their careers.” 

Although Alan is the only one in their relationship with an agricultural background, Susan said that didn’t stop their two children from finding their passion for agriculture as well. 

“Both of our boys ended up in CAFNR after starting out in business and journalism,” she said. “They, like me, had absolutely no ag bone in their body, so I think that speaks really highly of CAFNR.” 

As the Wesslers reconnected with alumni, danced and listened to music alongside more than 200 attendees, Barnwamin’ offered a reminder that some Mizzou traditions – and the connections they create – stand the test of time.