Attendees chat around tall tables at the reception before Celebration of Excellence 2026. The annual awards ceremony honors outstanding teachers, advisors, researchers, staff and service. Michelle Niemeyer, executive staff assistant, CAFNR Office of Advancement, holds her certificate and Meat Market steaks for being chosen as one of the winners for CAFNR Faculty/Staff Giving Day prizes. Michelle notes: “I give to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources because I see firsthand the impact it has on students, research and our communities. Supporting CAFNR is a way for me to invest in the future we’re building every day.” Ewell Lawson, associate director – strategic operations, Financial Research Institute, was one of the Faculty/Staff winners for supporting Mizzou on Giving Day! Ewell says: “I give because I’ve seen the impact. Having money to start something is freeing…it provides the opportunity to chase the possible, rather than being limited by the affordable. I love knowing my gift is the difference between a good idea and a discovery.” The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) hosted its 12th annual Abner Womack Missouri Agriculture Outlook Conference. The event provided objective, data-driven insight on agricultural markets, policy and farm-level challenges.Vice Chancellor and Dean Daubert surprised Carrie Schlimme, director of advancement, with the Driver to Distinction Award during a visit to Eckles Hall April 21.CAFNR staff gather for the Dean’s Traveling Office Hours, hosted by Vice Chancellor and Dean Daubert and the CAFNR Staff Advisory Council, for snacks and conversation April 29.Vice Chancellor and Dean Daubert pose with staff prize winners Genevieve Howard, Jim Obenauer, Ernest Utterback and Alison Rutledge during his Traveling Office Hours.Jennifer Fruend, an instructor in the Mizzou School of Natural Resources, elevated her mammalogy lab with baby goat Blanche in the ABNR courtyard. Students and passersby also met her Kunekune pig, Gladys, and goose Audrey Honkburn.Tim Reinbott, director of field operations, takes a moment while assisting with the Missouri FFA State Convention career development events (CDE). Faculty and staff across the college worked to help the convention run smoothly for 10,000 FFA members.
