Student Success

Dec. 13, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Jacob Rissman

Rissman will graduate with a degree in animal sciences.

Dec. 13, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Madysen Kinsler

Kinsler will graduate with a degree in nutrition and exercise physiology.

Dec. 13, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Maya Puller

Puller will graduate with a degree in plant sciences.
Mason Ward’s extraordinary research portfolio has earned him two undergraduate research awards from the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Ward earned the Undergraduate Student Achievement in Entomology award from the Plant-Insect Ecosystem (P-IE) section of the ESA, as well as the BioQuip Products Undergraduate Scholarship from the Systematics, Evolution and Biodiversity (SysEB) section.

Sep. 28, 2021

Taking a Chance

As a freshman, Mason Ward took a chance and applied to the Freshman Research in Plants (FRIPS) Program with the thought that he would give research a try. Ward wasn’t sure if research would be a major part of his collegiate career, but figured by pushing himself he would certainly learn something new. Now, three years later, Ward’s extraordinary research portfolio has earned him two undergraduate research awards from the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Ward earned the Undergraduate Student Achievement in Entomology award from the Plant-Insect Ecosystem (P-IE) section of the ESA, as well as the…

Sep. 7, 2021

Caleb Grohmann Selected for the Future Leaders for Food and Agriculture (FFAR) Fellowship

Caleb Grohmann, a PhD student in informatics and data science, was selected as a Future Leaders for Food and Agriculture (FFAR) Fellow. Each year the FFAR Fellowship selects PhD students from universities around the country. Grohmann was selected for the 2021-24 cohort. “The FFAR Fellowship is a great opportunity to network with other PhD students from different universities,” said Grohmann. “Everyone has such diverse backgrounds and it’s been interesting to learn about everyone’s research.” Grohmann, who is originally from Red Bud, Illinois, grew up on a commercial hog operation, Cedar Ridge Farms. His family produces commercial breeding stock that…
The Italy study abroad program is one of several summer offerings in CAFNR. The program takes place in the city of Florence, and is primarily for students interested in restaurant management or event planning – as well as Italian culture. Lauren Tippen was able to participate in the program this summer, after the program was cancelled last year. Photo courtesy of Lauren Tippen.

Aug. 23, 2021

Finding Joy in New Experiences

As a hospitality management student, Lauren Tippen was excited to participate in the Italy study abroad program last year through the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). That program is focused on the hospitality industry in Italy, as well as Italian culture. The pandemic forced the cancellation of the program, though, and Tippen, a senior, was unsure if she would have a similar opportunity during her collegiate career. “When it got cancelled, I was so upset and I really didn’t think I would have this opportunity again,” Tippen said. When Shanon Dickerson, CAFNR’s director of…
Claire Shipp, a senior who will graduate in May with a degree in agribusiness management, recently found out that she was one of just 62 college students named a 2021 Truman Scholar. Photo courtesy of Claire Shipp.

May 13, 2021

Taking a Leap of Faith

During her three years as a student in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), Claire Shipp has appreciated the opportunity to explore her passions. Those interests include agriculture, the environment and serving others. Last semester, Shipp found a course where all of those passions crossed paths. The Environmental Law, Policy, and Justice course, taught by Robin Rotman, an assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources, showcased how Shipp could take her interests and apply them in a real-world setting. The course shaped Shipp’s approach to the Truman Scholarship application she was…

May 10, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Tanner and Sean Allen

As legacy students growing up in Columbia, Mo., the University of Missouri held a special place for twin brothers Sean and Tanner Allen. After four years at Mizzou, the brothers will walk away with degrees in agricultural systems technology (AST) and agribusiness management, as well as multiple memories from their time as Tigers. “We grew up in Columbia, so Mizzou was always where I saw myself going,” Tanner said. “I loved the atmosphere of campus and the traditions my dad taught me from his time as Mizzou.” “Tanner and I are legacy students, and our mother works as a programmer…

May 10, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Angela and Maggie McNay

Sports played a massive role in the lives of twin sisters Angela and Maggie McNay growing up. The twin sisters loved to compete, and they were both big fans of University of Missouri athletics. Having Norm Stewart and Mike Anderson as family friends didn’t hurt, either. Already enamored with sports, friendships with Stewart and Anderson ignited that passion further. “We went to Norm’s house at times during the summer months,” Maggie said. “Our grandma and his wife would work on various projects together. We call Mike, ‘uncle Mike’ and would watch movies at his house. He would always run out…

May 10, 2021

Senior Spotlight: Dallas and Donell Kleiboeker

Growing up on a beef farm in southwest Missouri, twin brothers Dallas and Donell Kleiboeker shared many of the same hobbies, friend groups and life experiences. Those shared interests, especially in agriculture, led them to the University of Missouri. While the two didn’t have any plans on both majoring in agribusiness management, that’s the degree program each brother chose. “We didn’t really plan it out at all,” Donell said. “I think we’ve had so many similar experiences that it narrows the track a little bit. Honestly, though, as seniors in high school, I was talking about being a civil engineer…