Student Success
May 10, 2021
Senior Spotlight: Michelle Maile
When Michelle Maile transferred to the University of Missouri, her love for the outdoors led her to select biological sciences for her area of study. Once she got to Mizzou, though, she realized that there were multiple degree programs that hit on her true interests, which are related to natural resources and plant sciences. “At the community college I was at, they didn’t have any natural resource programs,” Maile said. “I honestly didn’t even know they existed. I figured biology was close to what I was interested in, but when I came here, almost everyone was pre-med or pre-vet. I…
May 10, 2021
Senior Spotlight: Carli Carmack
After earning her associate’s degree from North Central Missouri College (NCMC) in Trenton, Mo., Carli Carmack joined the Office of Sponsored Programs at the University of Missouri as an office support assistant. That was nearly nine years ago. Carmack has worked her way up in the office, and now serves as an administrative team lead. While Carmack said she loves her job in the Office of Sponsored Programs, her passion for sports has always been in the back of her mind. Carmack played softball at NCMC and has always enjoyed athletics. She decided that going back to school and getting…
May 10, 2021
Senior Spotlight: Jordan Duenckel
As a senior in high school, Jordan Duenckel knew that he was going to continue his education at the University of Missouri – what he didn’t know was what he was going to study. As Duenckel searched through the MU course catalog, an interesting entry caught his eye. “As I was flipping through, I noticed food science and nutrition,” Duenckel said. “I love to eat, so studying food seemed fun. Science was my best subject in high school, so when I saw something that combined the two, I thought I would give it a go.” To go along with his…
May 10, 2021
Senior Spotlight: Luke Eaton
During his freshman year, Luke Eaton decided to join the soil judging team on a whim. Eaton didn’t know it at the time, but that decision would open up a new world of opportunities – and help him find the perfect emphasis area to study. Eaton knew he was going to major in environmental sciences when he first came to the University of Missouri; he just wasn’t sure which of the four emphasis areas to choose. He started in atmospheric sciences, but switched to a soil emphasis after joining the judging team. “Rachel Owen was my soil judging coach and…
May 10, 2021
Senior Spotlight: Laura Valencia
Growing up in Columbia, Laura Valencia always loved the University of Missouri. She had a chance to officially become a Tiger when she transferred to Mizzou in 2018. As she heads toward graduation, Valencia said her time at MU has been incredible. “My favorite memories at Mizzou include all of the homecoming festivities over the years, the late nights studying at Ellis, getting coffee at Memorial Union, and attending the football and basketball games,” Valencia said. “I also really enjoyed going to the student center before the pandemic hit.” When Valencia graduates in May, she will earn a degree in…
May 10, 2021
Senior Spotlight: Maria Kemerling
Maria Kemerling began cheering in 2010 – and knew she was going to love being on the sidelines as a Mizzou cheerleader when she first stepped on the University of Missouri campus as a freshman in 2017. Now, as Kemerling heads toward graduation, she has numerous game-day experiences at Faurot Field and Mizzou Arena under her belt, as well as three trips to the National Cheerleaders Association’s (NCA) national competition. She has learned how to balance a demanding athletic schedule with her schoolwork as a student in animal sciences. “Mizzou Cheer has been a huge part of my college experience…
April 15, 2021
A ‘Mind-Blowing’ Experience
When Chloe Dobson arrived at the University of Missouri in 2017, her declared major was political science. Dobson said she was hoping to eventually attend law school. A Thomas Rhett concert at Mizzou changed all of that. Dobson signed up as event staff for the concert, which took place in late 2017. After working the entire event, Dobson switched her major to hospitality management in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). “I was really, really broke at the time, so when I saw an email about a paying job working the concert, I signed up,” Dobson…
March 18, 2021
Gaining a New Perspective
The day after Abigail Turner graduated from high school she jumped on an airplane and flew to Australia with the encouragement of her parents, who love to travel. Turner grew up in Brookfield, Mo., a town of less than 4,500 people, and the trip to Australia was her first foray into international travel. It wouldn’t be her last. Turner, a senior studying agricultural education, has spent a good portion of her collegiate career at the University of Missouri traveling – through study abroad experiences and other opportunities. Those experiences have offered Turner the chance to gain valuable insights and broadened…
Feb. 17, 2021
Part of the Frontline Discovery Group
When Lauren Eagon came to the University of Missouri to study natural resource science and management, one of her goals was to complete her own research project. With the help of faculty mentors in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), Eagon, who is now a senior, has been an active participant in undergraduate research throughout her collegiate career. She has gained hands-on experience through various research projects, where she has partnered with CAFNR faculty, staff and graduate students. She has also accomplished her goal and conducted her own research. “Providing undergraduates with such a valuable opportunity…
Nov. 12, 2020
Representing Missouri on the National Level
As a seventh grader, Paxton Dahmer traveled with his family to the University of Missouri to watch his older brother, Payton, receive his state FFA degree during the Missouri state FFA convention. While taking in the entire ceremony, Paxton set a lofty goal for himself – he was going to be a Missouri state FFA officer. “I’m a sixth-generation farmer and a third-generation FFA member,” Dahmer said. “Agriculture has been a staple of my family for years. I remember listening to my grandfather tell stories about FFA and what he was able to accomplish through the organization. Being an FFA…