Student Spotlight: Autumn Dunn

Autumn Dunn

Hometown: Fresno, California

MajorFisheries and Wildlife, Grassland Ecology and Management, Environmental Restoration Science

Anticipated date of graduation: Spring 2018

Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska? I decided to come to UNL because I wanted to go to a bigger school that offered both a conservation and agricultural background. I wanted a school that could offer me more than a state or local college, and also give me the experience I needed to be successful. All of which I felt I could find at UNL.

What is your favorite thing about the University of Nebraska? My favorite thing has been my professors. It hasn’t mattered who the professors were, whether it be a grassland class, a vertebrate zoology class, or a chemistry course, every professor makes an effort to reach out to me and ask me how my day is. It’s been such a big deal to me that my professors care because I have a passion for learning and sometimes I don’t do well in a strictly lecture setting. There have been many times where I have been unsuccessful on an assignment or project, and my professors have reached out and helped me because I was willing to put in the effort and that’s something I’ve never had anywhere else.

What is your favorite class you have taken so far and why? My favorite class I’ve taken so far has probably been wildland plants. It’s incredibly challenging and I have to put forth a lot of work, but doing the class with all my friends has been so fun. I’m always going to remember gathering in the herbarium until ridiculous hours of the night trying to understand why two plants differ. Then putting on Westworld after we all give up for the evening. Of course the class atmosphere is fun too, sometimes Cheryl, the instructor, will bring cookies or candy on days that are going to be especially long.

What are your plans post-graduation? I hope to attend grad school and get my master's degree, though I am not sure in what or where at yet. I hope to continue taking on internships and classes to see what I really enjoy.

What is life like outside of school? Life outside of school can be pretty hectic. On Fridays I volunteer at North Star High School for an anime club with two other sponsors, and whenever I have other free time I usually try to pick up other volunteer work. I’ve volunteered at the Guardians of Freedom Airshow, job fairs, random events on campus, graduate students’ projects, and anything else that’s popped up in my email. I also am working on a UCARE project studying macro and micro invertebrates and their impacts on root growth. I’m involved in Alpha Delta Pi sorority and Sigma Tau honors fraternity, where I serve as risk management chair and induction chair. I’m vice president of the Rangeland Management Club, where I attend meetings to learn about grassland ecosystems and practice plant identification to prepare for the Society of Range Management meeting in the spring. I work as a student ambassador for CASNR during the week and enjoy sharing my passions for our natural resources department with potential students. I work with Ethan Freese as an environmentor, assisting a high school student conduct their own research. I am also a member of our soil’s team, and look forward to going to nationals in the spring. I love having a busy schedule to keep me occupied and out of trouble, but I also love going home and playing Dragon Age Inquisition when I can, or listening to Coheed and Cambria to wind down after a long day.

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