Stories

Gentry Hall

Sep. 10, 2021

An Innovative Approach to Networking

Even when students returned in person to campus this past year, the student experience was still not quite the same. Travel to conferences was suspended, for example, and many events were still virtual. University of Missouri’s (MU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Rebecca Mott, assistant teaching professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences, collaborated with Amy Leman, assistant research professor from University of Illinois’ (U of I) Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication program to try to still make their students’ classroom experiences as engaging, interactive, and applicable to real life as possible. “Dr. Leman and I were…

Aug. 24, 2021

Q&A With Emma Baer

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in nutrition and exercise physiology, with a focus in human physiology and translational sciences? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? Coming to Mizzou as a pre-med student, I knew I wanted a degree program that would provide me the core knowledge I needed to advance throughout my studies, but that would also engage me and my interests in the process. I landed on this particular path because I had a basic understanding of the impact nutrition had on overall health, wanted…
An early passion for broadcast meteorology and a desire to get a degree from a university in the state he grew up in led Matt Beckwith to the University of Missouri. Beckwith thought the atmospheric science emphasis area within the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) environmental sciences degree program would help prepare him for a career as a meteorologist. When Beckwith, who grew up in the Kansas City area, walked onto campus in 2015, he knew right away that he made the correct decision. Photo courtesy of Matt Beckwith.

Aug. 23, 2021

A well-rounded experience

The environmental sciences degree program prepared Matt Beckwith for a career as a broadcast meteorologist.
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…

May 17, 2021

Q&A With Kyle Watkinson

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in natural resource science and management? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? Having grown up in the Columbia area, the question “Where do you want to go to college?” has never been tough to answer. I am a legacy student who has been chanting “MIZ-ZOU” since preschool. As luck would have it, CAFNR offers one of the most high-quality educations in Natural Resource Science and Management in the nation! I developed a passion for the outdoors and conservation at a very…
Each year, high school students from across the state travel to the University of Missouri to take part in the State FFA Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Development Events (CDEs). The MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) offers its expertise for these events, as faculty, staff and students lend a hand in setting up and running the competitive events. CAFNR went the extra mile this year to host an in-person event, and worked to offer the same strong CDEs while also following health and safety protocols.

May 17, 2021

An important learning tool

While following health and safety protocols, CAFNR hosts in-person CDEs for Missouri high school students.

April 15, 2021

Q&A With Katie Crider

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in food science and nutrition? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? My decision to come to the University of Missouri was a fairly easy one after I visited campus and met with the CAFNR staff. Everyone I met was very friendly and made me feel very welcome. Originally, I was an animal sciences major; however, that was very short-lived when I realized that field was not for me. I quickly switched to hospitality when I discovered that I liked working with…
Chloe Dobson has stayed busy during her time at MU, and as she heads toward graduation in May, she is participating in her most unique project yet – a virtual international internship with Camerata Salzburg, an internationally-renowned chamber orchestra based in Salzburg, Austria. Photo courtesy of Chloe Dobson.

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…
Abigail 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 her view of the world. Photo courtesy of Abigail Turner.

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…

March 17, 2021

Q&A With Toyin Jackson

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in food science and nutrition? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? The initial reason I was drawn to the University of Missouri was because I was selected to be in the inaugural class of MU Stamps Scholars through the Honors College. I visited campus during my latter years of high school, specifically the food science program and Dr. (Ingolf) Gruen. What stuck out to me during that visit was the program’s level of autonomy and the freedom to carve out your…