Last year, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) unveiled its strategic plan, “Drive to Distinction.” As part of the plan, numerous priority areas were defined, including cultivating a diverse and inclusive community. Samniqueka Halsey has always had a passion for establishing and building a culture of acceptance, equity and inclusivity. That passion made her…
Diversity ⋅ Page 1
Message in a Bottle
Coca-Cola executive and alumna shares insight on how she climbed to the top
As a self-proclaimed foodie growing up in Kenya, Wamwari Waichungo dreamed about working with food or agriculture, but she had yet to learn of opportunities in food science until attending college in the United States. Today, she is an executive at the iconic Coca-Cola Company, whose products she knew well from childhood. On Oct. 20-21, Wamwari, vice president of global…
Nguyen, Weisman Named Curators Professors
Dr. Henry Nguyen and Dr. Gary Weisman were both recently given the University's highest rank
Dr. Henry Nguyen, professor of plant sciences, and Dr. Gary Weisman, professor of biochemistry, were both recently named 2015 Curators Professors, the University of Missouri’s highest and most prestigious rank. Nguyen earned his Ph.D. in agronomy (genetics) from MU in 1982. He returned to MU in 2002 as the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council Endowed Professor of Genetics and Soybean Biotechnology,…
Three’s Company
Sibling trio reflects on agricultural and immigrant roots that led to Mizzou
It would not be hard to understand why Homecoming at the University of Missouri may have an extra special meaning to Hli, Yia and See Yang. As first-generation Americans and college students they share a common bond not only through their Mizzou pride but also through the embedded core values of family, hard work and agriculture that helped lead their…
Capital Gain
CAFNR graduate begins new journey as USDA chief of staff
These days, it’s not easy to catch Karla Thieman. As the newly appointed chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the days of Thieman (pronounced TEE-man) include meeting with outside stakeholders, working directly with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the budget and dealing with any personnel issues that come up for a federal agency that employs more than 99,000…
New Faces on the Roster
CAFNR welcomes faculty members
Each fall we are honored to welcome new faculty members to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. We are lucky to attract such talented academic professionals to help fulfill our teaching, research and extension missions. This year is no exception. Our new faculty members are at the forefront in fields as varied as our degree programs – increasing…
Sharing the Stage
National community engagement academy inducts CAFNR assistant dean
If Mary Leuci had a favorite proposition, it would definitely be the word “with.” When discussing the concept of community engagement and the role it plays at the University of Missouri and the surrounding community, she gives the word a special emphasis. “Engagement is really about how the University engages with the community for mutually beneficial reasons and it’s not…
From a Different Angle
Sport Management FIG students gain awareness of diversity through wheelchair basketball
They had all played the game of basketball to varying degrees before — but never like this. As sunshine peaked through the windows of the MU Student Recreation Complex on a sunny September afternoon, the students and professor of the Sport Management Freshman Interest Group from South Hall had gathered at Court No. 7 to see one of the world’s most…
Endless Possibilities
New director, vision at Jefferson Farm and Garden
Amy Dooley has been at her new job for less than 30 days but she already sees the infinite possibilities. Dooley was named the program director at Jefferson Farm and Garden July 20. She brings abundant experience to the position. “It is a very exciting time for Jefferson Farm and Garden as we begin the development process,” Dooley said. “We…
Training for the Future
Agroforestry Academy strong for third straight year
The University of Missouri’s Center for Agroforestry put together another successful Agroforestry Academy in late July. This is the third year the academy has been offered to individuals interested in learning more about agroforestry. The purpose of the weeklong academy is to show the many opportunities agroforestry offers through classroom work and farm visits. Individuals also took part in a…