Stories

Eric Aldrich (pictured), Fang Wang and Xinhao Xu have combined their expertise in meteorology, virtual and augmented reality, and mixed-reality-based learning environments to help students gain a deeper understanding of mid-latitude cyclones, which are complicated systems that help drive most of the stormy and severe weather in the continental United States.

March 31, 2023

An immersive learning opportunity

Unique collaboration between three Mizzou Colleges offers environmental sciences students an opportunity to study weather through virtual reality.
Justin Sykes, a senior parks, recreation, sport and tourism major, has been interning with the softball team for two years and was recently hired as its first director of player development, a position he will officially begin when he earns his degree in August. Photo courtesy of Justin Sykes.

March 29, 2023

Bleeding Black and Gold

Justin Sykes grew up donning the black and gold at numerous University of Missouri athletic events. Soon, Sykes will be sporting Mizzou colors as an official staff member of the softball team. Sykes has been interning with the softball team for two years and was recently hired as its first director of player development, a position he will officially begin when he earns his degree in August. “It’s very exciting, obviously,” said Sykes, a senior parks, recreation, sport and tourism (PRST) major from Kearney, Mo. “I’ve always loved statistics and analytics, so to be able to dive into those numbers…

March 25, 2023

2023 AFA Institute Selections Include Several CAFNR Students

Several CAFNR students were recently chosen as 2023 Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Animal Institute and Food Institute selections. AFA experiences connect students to a diverse community of peers and professionals who are passionate about food and agriculture. The goal of the experiences is to challenge the way students think about themselves, their potential career and the agriculture industry. 2023 AFA Animal Institute Selections: Addison Anna Brisbane, sophomore, agriculture Caitlyn Kleffner, junior, animal sciences Emily Popa, sophomore, animal sciences Aleece Thornhill, junior animal sciences Tanner Tipton, junior, animal sciences 2023 AFA Food Institute Selections: Halley Blades, senior, food science and…
Nick Wesslak earned two degrees from Mizzou – a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences and a master’s degree in natural resources. After stops in two states, Wesslak recently joined MU Extension as an agronomy field specialist where he covers eight counties in northeast Missouri. Photo courtesy of Nick Wesslak.

March 10, 2023

From Student to Specialist

As a high school student in Salem, Mo., Nick Wesslak was an active member of his local FFA chapter. That experience not only introduced him to the University of Missouri, it also showed him an interesting career path – one that he is now serving in with MU Extension. Wesslak earned two degrees from Mizzou – a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences and a master’s degree in natural resources. After stops in two states, Wesslak recently joined MU Extension as an agronomy field specialist where he covers eight counties in northeast Missouri. “I’m really happy to be back in the…
MU livestock judging team.

Feb. 24, 2023

Mizzou Livestock Judging Team Finishes Third at Dixie National

The Mizzou Livestock Judging Team recently finished third at the Dixie National Collegiate Beef Judging contest, held in Jackson, Miss. Along with the third-place overall finish, the team finished third in Reasons, Market Steers and Continental Cattle. The group earned fifth-place markings in Brahman Cattle and English Cattle as well. Jenna Blessing, a senior agriculture major, finished sixth in Market Steers. Pictured, left to right: assistant coach Clint Bailey, senior, agriculture; Shane Vehige, junior, animal sciences; Sam Wheeler, junior, agriculture; Grant Stafford, junior, agriculture; Brady Schnelten, junior, animal sciences; Addie Thessen, junior, plant sciences; Blessing; Allison Eitel, senior, agriculture; and…
With funding help from the University of Missouri to enhance teaching and learning across campus, the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory has added even more features to help with student success. A team of Division of Plant Science and Technology faculty secured $100,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment – and the division also added funds to make it even more worthwhile. Photo courtesy of Soyon Park.

Feb. 23, 2023

Enhancing Learning Opportunities

With funding help from the University of Missouri to enhance teaching and learning across campus, the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory has added even more features to help with student success. A team of Division of Plant Science and Technology faculty secured $100,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment – and the division also added funds to make it even more worthwhile. Photo courtesy of Soyon Park. Two years ago, CAFNR recognized Henry Kirklin, a celebrated Black farmer and educator who lived in and around Columbia from 1858 until his death in 1938, with the naming of the Henry Kirklin Plant…
One of the more unique CAFNR study abroad opportunities is a summer program in Austria, which allows students to tailor an internship experience to their interest area. The first half of the program, which is offered through Salzburg College, prepares students for the international working environment they will eventually experience during their internship. CAFNR had four students participate in the Austria study abroad program last year – from left to right, Armana Gusewelle, Grayson Alexander, Matt Donzelli and Ellen Phillips. Photo courtesy of Salzburg College.

Feb. 15, 2023

An Exciting Global Partnership

The program served as the second study abroad experience for Phillips, a senior agriculture major. Along with her time at Salzburg College, Phillips spent five weeks living and serving as a farmhand on a diversified livestock farm in a rural town. Photo courtesy of Ellen Phillips. Students interested in study abroad have numerous opportunities to gain international experience through a variety of MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) programs. CAFNR hosts experiences throughout the year and across the globe. One of the more unique opportunities is a summer program in Austria, which allows students to tailor an…
As part of ensuring student success, the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) offers its students numerous opportunities to connect in meaningful ways with industry professionals. Those interactions come through a variety of programs, from CAFNR-sponsored experiences to degree-specific trips. For example, the Biochemistry Industry Tour included multiple meetings with professionals across the St. Louis area.

Feb. 13, 2023

Endless Educational Opportunities

As part of ensuring student success, the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) offers its students numerous opportunities to connect in meaningful ways with industry professionals. Those interactions come through a variety of programs, from CAFNR-sponsored experiences to degree-specific trips. Recently, CAFNR students met with a variety of professionals through the Agribusiness Career Connections Program, Dickinson Scholars Program and Biochemistry Industry Tour. The Agribusiness Career Connection program is designed to connect CAFNR undergraduates to various agribusinesses located throughout the Midwest. Students hear from businesses and organizations, with a focus on possible internships or future job opportunities. The…
Memphis Bancroft is in the accelerated master’s program within the food science and nutrition degree program, which allows student’s to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just five years. Bancroft is a senior, which means she is close to finishing her undergraduate degree while getting a jumpstart on her master’s degree.

Jan. 30, 2023

Finding the Perfect Degree

When Memphis Bancroft made the decision to pursue a food science and nutrition degree at the University of Missouri she didn’t realize the real-world application of what she was studying would be so immediate. When Bancroft chose the degree program her mother was on a very restrictive diet due to a colon cancer diagnosis. “With the effects of surgery we had to find food that fit the bill and wouldn’t cause more issues,” Bancroft said. “Her diet was really tough – she really couldn’t have much fiber, protein or dairy. I was taking what I was learning in the classroom…
With an eye toward student health and well-being, the School of Natural Resources (SNR) and Tiger Garden teamed up last semester to create a more welcoming environment in six classrooms across the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources (ABNR) Building. Funding for the project, which includes a variety of enhancements, was awarded through the University of Missouri Office of the Provost.

Jan. 30, 2023

Creating a Welcoming Environment

With an eye toward student health and well-being, the School of Natural Resources (SNR) and Tiger Garden teamed up last semester to create a more welcoming environment in six classrooms across the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources (ABNR) Building. Funding for the project, which includes a variety of enhancements, was awarded through the University of Missouri Office of the Provost. A trio of SNR faculty helped make the award a possibility – Robin Rotman, assistant professor; Sonja Wilhelm Stanis, professor and associate director; and Patrick Market, director. A trio of SNR faculty helped make the classroom additions a possibility – Robin Rotman,…