Stories

Marco Walden, a junior majoring in plant sciences, was the first student to receive the Henry Kirklin Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to underrepresented minority students studying plant sciences. Photo courtesy of Marco Walden.

Feb. 21, 2022

An Eye-Opening Honor

A member of the Missouri National Guard, Marco Walden was called into disaster and humanitarian relief efforts during the initial COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in mid-2020. Walden served the state in multiple ways as a combat medic, from helping with testing to providing vaccinations for individuals in smaller communities and towns. Walden, a junior majoring in plant sciences, took a gap year to help with the efforts. When he returned to the University of Missouri last year the first thing he did was meet with Mary Ann Gowdy, his advisor and an assistant teaching professor in the Division of Plant Science…
Maya Johnson has taken part in two different internship opportunities during her time at MU, including one with ICL Food Specialties. Johnson has also conducted undergraduate research during her time in the food science and nutrition degree program. Photo courtesy of Maya Johnson.

Feb. 16, 2022

An Important Degree Program

In May, Maya Johnson will graduate with a food science and nutrition degree from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). It will actually be Johnson’s second Mizzou graduation ceremony. Johnson is a graduate of the Mizzou Academy High School program. She spent her senior year of high school in the program, earning her diploma during a ceremony at Memorial Union. “This program gave me a lot of freedom and allowed me to set my own pace as I completed my high school degree,” said Johnson, who is also minoring in hospitality management. “I had…
In just two years, Chase Goldinger’s YouTube channel has gained nearly 8,000 subscribers, who follow along as Goldinger features life on the farm and the hands-on learning opportunities offered through the agricultural systems technology (AST) degree program at MU. Goldinger, a sophomore, is majoring in AST. Photo courtesy of Chase Goldinger.

Feb. 11, 2022

A Video View of Hands-On Learning

With just a couple days left before he graduated from Palmyra High School, Chase Goldinger’s friends thought it would be funny if he made a YouTube video about him working out on his family’s farm. Goldinger thought the idea actually sounded like a lot of fun. “I put something together real quick and showed it to all my friends,” Goldinger said. “We had a good laugh at it. I think it got like 12 views, which was honestly a bit discouraging. But I made another video and then another one. It was the snowball effect; I was really enjoying putting…
The accelerated master’s coordinated program in dietetics within the nutrition and exercise physiology (NEP) degree program offers students a unique opportunity to earn two degrees in just five years. Students who complete the program come away with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and exercise physiology, with an emphasis in nutrition and foods; a master’s degree in dietetics; and all of the internship hours necessary to take the registration examination for dietitians (RD Exam). It’s a program that Samantha Tracy, a master’s student in dietetics, said she is thrilled to have found. Photo courtesy of Samantha Tracy.

Feb. 7, 2022

Preparing Students for Success

The accelerated master’s coordinated program in dietetics within the nutrition and exercise physiology (NEP) degree program offers students a unique opportunity to earn two degrees in just five years.
Ellen Phillips, a senior by credits, has been incredibly involved during her time on campus. Phillips serves as the philanthropy chair for the Sigma Alpha sorority, the fundraising chair for the Swine Club and a member of the Conservation Leadership Corp. Phillips also serves as the vice president of communications for the CAFNR Ambassadors. Phillips is interested in pursuing a law degree after she earns her undergraduate degree in agriculture. Photo courtesy of Ellen Phillips.

Feb. 7, 2022

Finding the Perfect Fit

In high school, Ellen Phillips gained an appreciation for law and policy through the local YMCA’s youth and government program.
When Emily Meyer made the decision to attend the University of Missouri, she knew the personal financial planning degree program would allow her expand on her passions. As Meyer, a senior, finishes her final semester as a Tiger, she has definitely made the most of her time in Columbia. Meyer has already accepted a full-time job with J.P. Morgan, which she will begin in July. Photo courtesy of Emily Meyer.

Feb. 5, 2022

A Home Away From Home

Emily Meyer served as a bank teller in her hometown of Bowling Green, Mo., for nearly three years while in high school, developing a passion for numbers and for helping others. When she made the decision to attend the University of Missouri, Meyer knew the personal financial planning degree program would allow her expand on those passions. As Meyer, a senior, finishes her final semester as a Tiger, she has definitely made the most of her time in Columbia. Along with increasing her knowledge base related to finances, Meyer has been very involved, including an internship that has helped set…
Senior Jacob Wolken said the environmental sciences degree program features multiple topics related to agriculture, giving a well-rounded view of the discipline. He was able to add to his experiences through a job at the Soil Health Assessment Center (SHAC), as well as the soil judging team. Photo courtesy of Jacob Wolken.

Feb. 5, 2022

A Deeper Connection to Agriculture

While he was plenty familiar with everything the University of Missouri had to offer, when Jacob Wolken transferred to Mizzou he said there was still a bit of a learning curve. That’s where Laura Hertel’s expertise came in to play. Wolken said Hertel, senior student service coordinator in the School of Natural Resources, helped make the transfer transition go much more smoothly. “I made the decision to transfer to MU a bit late, and she helped make the transition much easier,” Wolken said. “I was comfortable with the switch, but it was nice to have someone in my corner who…
A personal financial planning graduate, Quentin Harris officially opened his own firm in 2020 – Harris Tax and Consulting Services. Along with his personal firm, Harris serves as a franchise portfolio manager with the Wintrust Financial Corporation, located in Chicago, Ill. Photo courtesy of Quentin Harris.

Jan. 25, 2022

Making an impact

Quentin Harris is using his personal financial planning degree to help others with their financial decisions.
Funded by a series of grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Freshman Research in Plants (FRIPS) Program at the University of Missouri allows first-year/first-time undergraduate students an opportunity to get a first-hand look at the exciting plant research taking place at MU. Not only do these students have the chance to experience cutting-edge plant biology research, they are also able to learn from esteemed Interdisciplinary Plant Group (IPG) faculty. Photo by Kate Preston.

Nov. 29, 2021

Sparking an Interest in Research

FRIPS Program allows first-year students an opportunity to get a first-hand look at plant research at MU.
For several years, the Block and Bridle Club at the University of Missouri has held their own version of the American Royal – the Little American Royal. The Little American Royal is a student-led livestock show that allows students of all backgrounds to experience the caring of a livestock animal, as well as preparing it for a show environment. Students compete in a live show at the end of the weeklong program.

Nov. 29, 2021

Ready for the Ring

Little American Royal event allows students to train and care for a variety of livestock animals.