When she was young, Libby Orr said she remembers watching her local weatherperson share the upcoming forecasts and being interested in how the weather could change at a moment’s notice. As she got older, her interest in tracking storms continued – and when it was time to choose a college degree Orr knew it would be related to weather. Orr,…
Senior Spotlight ⋅ Page 3
Senior Spotlight: Emerald McKinley
McKinley will graduate with a degree in biochemistry
Emerald McKinley had no doubt about her decision to attend the University of Missouri – it was the only college she applied to. McKinley became familiar with the university through her aunt, who worked on campus in residential life. Growing up, McKinley spent numerous summers with her aunt, taking in campus life. Those experiences were more than enough for McKinley…
Senior Spotlight: Quentin Carlyle
Carlyle will graduate with a degree in agricultural education
Quentin Carlyle knew he was going to get what he calls the “best of both worlds” when he came to the University of Missouri. Carlyle wanted the big college experience, as well as a faculty and staff who knew his name. He found that within the agricultural education degree program in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources…
Senior Spotlight: Ally Akyol
Akyol will graduate with a degree in parks, recreation and sport
Ally Akyol made the most out of her time at the University of Missouri. A Columbia, Mo., native, Akyol took part in hands-on learning experiences, a study abroad program and experiential learning opportunities. Her time in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) also prepared for her future career – a career that she has already begun.…
Senior Spotlight: Jacob Rissman
Rissman will graduate with a degree in animal sciences
As a high school student, Jacob Rissman knew his passion for animals could lead to one of three vocations – farmer/producer, zookeeper or veterinarian. When Rissman started courses in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) his eyes were opened to the numerous jobs an animal sciences degree could offer him. Rissman, who will graduate…
Senior Spotlight: Madysen Kinsler
Kinsler will graduate with a degree in nutrition and exercise physiology
Growing up in a town of less than 2,500 people, Madysen Kinsler briefly considered continuing her education at the University of Missouri. However, with an undergraduate student enrollment of nearly 10 times her hometown, Kinsler didn’t want to feel overwhelmed as a student. Kinsler, who grew up in Elsberry, Mo., settled on Culver-Stockton College, in Canton, Mo., instead. Kinsler wasn’t…
Senior Spotlight: Maya Puller
Puller will graduate with a degree in plant sciences
As a track and field athlete at the University of Missouri, time management was key for Maya Puller as she navigated being a college athlete and earning a degree in plant sciences. Some of Puller’s days began as early as 5 or 6 a.m. with practice and weightlifting, followed by her various classes and assignments. Puller, who will graduate from…
Senior Spotlight: Tanner and Sean Allen
Tanner and Sean Allen will graduate with degrees in agricultural systems technology and agribusiness management
As legacy students growing up in Columbia, Mo., the University of Missouri held a special place for twin brothers Sean and Tanner Allen. After four years at Mizzou, the brothers will walk away with degrees in agricultural systems technology (AST) and agribusiness management, as well as multiple memories from their time as Tigers. “We grew up in Columbia, so Mizzou…
Senior Spotlight: Angela and Maggie McNay
Angela and Maggie McNay will graduate with degrees in parks, recreation and sport
Sports played a massive role in the lives of twin sisters Angela and Maggie McNay growing up. The twin sisters loved to compete, and they were both big fans of University of Missouri athletics. Having Norm Stewart and Mike Anderson as family friends didn’t hurt, either. Already enamored with sports, friendships with Stewart and Anderson ignited that passion further. “We…
Senior Spotlight: Dallas and Donell Kleiboeker
Dallas and Donell Kleiboeker will graduate with degrees in agribusiness management
Growing up on a beef farm in southwest Missouri, twin brothers Dallas and Donell Kleiboeker shared many of the same hobbies, friend groups and life experiences. Those shared interests, especially in agriculture, led them to the University of Missouri. While the two didn’t have any plans on both majoring in agribusiness management, that’s the degree program each brother chose. “We…