Alumni

Students in the PRST 3400 course (Sport and Recreation Marketing) helped with numerous facets of the Sophie Cunningham Classic, from early marketing strategies to helping with actual game day activities. The students also worked closely with Cunningham (pictured second from the right) and her family. Photo courtesy of Michelle Brimecombe.

Jan. 19, 2023

An Incredible Experience

In early December, high school girls basketball teams from three states took part in the inaugural Sophie Cunningham Classic, a three-day shootout in Columbia created by women athletes for young female athletes. The Classic allowed those athletes to take center stage and allowed Cunningham to give back to the community where she dominated opponents on the court as a high school player at Rock Bridge and a college athlete at the University of Missouri. The Classic also allowed students in the parks, recreation and sport degree program at the University of Missouri the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on learning experiences…
Senior Spotlight graphic featuring student wearing suit coat and red tie.

Dec. 13, 2022

Senior Spotlight: Adam Slayton

Slayton will graduate with a degree in agriculture.
Anna Hartke and Mark Wendell grew up in different parts of Illinois and both arrived at Mizzou as animal sciences majors in 2016. They had a couple of courses together during their freshmen year, but they first struck up a conversation during a Swine Club meeting as sophomores. Those conversations led to a relationship, which continued as the couple earned their degrees in 2020 and transitioned to MU’s College of Veterinary Medicine to pursue their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees. Hartke and Wendell are now engaged, with their wedding set for June, just three weeks after they will earn their DVM degrees. Photo courtesy of Anna Hartke and Mark Wendell.

Dec. 12, 2022

Growing together

Anna Hartke and Mark Wendell have grown professionally and personally while pursuing degrees at MU.
Litton Hall name plate on the side of ASRC

Oct. 24, 2022

A Genetic Pioneer

Jerry Litton's dedication to data advanced the Charolais breed on a national stage.
Joe Butler secured a job with Gardener's Path, a website dedicated to helping others with gardening advice, planting pointers and in-depth reviews of products, before graduation. While having a job did relieve him of some stress, Butler’s final day as a student did come with some pressure. He was one of two graduates who spoke during the ceremony, the first time that CAFNR has had students speak.

Oct. 22, 2022

Growing His Writing Portfolio

Joe Butler's job with Gardener's Path allows him to combine his two passions – plants and writing.
Hired in 2019, Verónica Negrón-Pérez has spent the past three-plus years as an assistant researcher and principal investigator at one of the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez’s agricultural experiment stations (Tropical Animal Reproduction Investigation Center) – this one located in Gurabo, on the eastern side of Puerto Rico. It has been a perfect opportunity at the same university where she earned her undergraduate degree. Photo courtesy of Verónica Negrón-Pérez.

Oct. 14, 2022

Meeting Her Goals

Verónica Negrón-Pérez's educational journey has brought her back to Puerto Rico for an important research role.
Alex Muñoz just began his new role this summer as director of student recruitment in CAFNR. His job allows him to travel throughout the state and share how CAFNR helped prepare him for the future, as well as the great hands-on learning opportunities in each of the College’s 14 degree programs. He regularly meets with students and parents on campus as well. Photo courtesy of Alex Muñoz.

Oct. 11, 2022

An Advocate for CAFNR

Alex Muñoz shares all CAFNR has to offer as director of student recruitment.
Jason Zhang’s food science journey began in China at Jiangnan University, one of the top food science universities in the country. His first trip to the United States came after earning his undergraduate degree, when he was accepted as a graduate student at the University of Missouri. Zhang, who grew up in southern China, and his wife, Sha, first stepped onto the Columbia campus in 2011 as they both began the pursuit of their PhDs in food science. Photo courtesy of Jason Zhang.

Sep. 28, 2022

An Entrepreneurial Desire

Jason Zhang's interest in food science led him to the University of Missouri.
Luke Rubin earned his parks, recreation and sport degree in May and now gets to see the inner workings on a sports business through his job with The Basketball Tournament. Rubin serves as a team relations specialist where he offers support to the players and teams that compete in the $1 million, winner-take-all tournament. A self-proclaimed “sports geek,” Rubin served as a student assistant with the MU football team for four years. Photo courtesy of Luke Rubin.

July 24, 2022

Pursuing his passions

A job with The Basketball Tournament allows Luke Rubin to explore his passion for sports.
Larna Schnitker (pictured left) graduated with an agribusiness management degree from the University of Missouri in May and created Amp'd Up Ag in 2020, alongside her boyfriend, Michael Fidler (senior agriculture major, pictured right), and her sister, Lucy (senior agribusiness management major). They offer consulting services for a variety of farming challenges, with a focus on helping farmers achieve higher yields while lowering their input costs. To go along with consulting, Amp’d Up Ag also offers custom spraying and tissue testing services. They also play an active role on the Schnitker family farm. Photo courtesy of Larna Schnitker.

July 20, 2022

Amplifying Agriculture

Amp'd Up Ag gives CAFNR couple the opportunity to help farmers with their operations.