Ava Kemper was named Outstanding Junior at CAFNR’s 2025 Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony, held Thursday, April 17.

Kemper is a plant sciences major with an emphasis in breeding, biology and biotechnology. She has taken on numerous leadership roles in CAFNR. She serves as Vice President of Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, Vice President External for Mizzou Agronomy Club, is a CAFNR Ambassador, Division of Plant Science and Technology Ambassador, and is member of Mizzou Collegiate Farm Bureau and a Litton Leadership Scholar.

Kemper also conducts research on sustainable agriculture as a plant lab research assistant in the Bond Life Sciences Center, works as a teaching assistant in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, has worked as a Crop Scout Intern for Channel Seed, and has studied abroad in Germany and Austria with CAFNR. She also volunteers with local FFA chapters and The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.

“It has been a pleasure to see Ava grow over time at the university, and I am excited to see where the rest of her college career takes her,” said Mackenzie Ewing, senior academic advisor and instructor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology. “She truly takes advantage of every opportunity to learn and get the most out of her college career. Not only is Ava a great student, but she has a kind heart and is always thinking of others.”