Hometown: Columbus, Nebraska
Major: Animal Science
Anticipated Date of Graduation: May 2017
Why did you decide to come to UNL?
Having an in-state university that emphasizes agriculture was a selling point for me. Through 4-H and FFA events in high school I got to know East Campus very well and always felt welcomed by students and faculty. As a potential animal science student, I was impressed by the way several staff members made a point to remember my name. Excellent student organizations combined with small class sizes offered opportunities for involvement that were visible even to a high school student. From the standpoints of the value of education, community and finances, UNL was the right choice for me.
What is your favorite thing about UNL?
The community. Being able to strike up a conversation with anyone on East Campus makes me feel a little more at home. People genuinely care about things that are going on in your life and want you to succeed. The Engler Entrepreneurship program offers collaboration among students and provides us with extraordinary professional connections along with numerous student colleagues who may end up being business partners. As a pre-veterinary club officer, I have found that alumni and other professionals in our state will rarely pass up a chance to support students pursuing similar career paths. I never thought I could feel comfortable in a city the size of Lincoln, but I have found a home at UNL that offers boundless opportunities for students who are willing to work hard.
What is your favorite class you have taken so far and why?
ASCI 210-Animal Products with Dr. Jones has been my favorite class so far. I am interested in food animal production, and this class gave me the chance to gain a deeper understanding of how the final product is affected by choices producers make. I enjoyed expanding my knowledge of the beef carcass while learning about the products of animals that I am not as familiar with such as pigs and sheep. As consumers demand more information, it is important for producers to be informed on the product they are selling, so from an advocacy point of view, this class was excellent.
What are your plans post-graduation?
I plan to attend veterinary school after completing my undergraduate work. I want to be involved in the food industry by raising my own beef cattle while practicing food animal medicine. Ensuring that care is being taken to provide the most safe, healthy, efficient and sustainable food supply is my number one priority. Reducing cost for producers through innovative practices and being transparent to the public will help the agriculture industry to once again be seen in a positive light. I look forward to working with other members of my generation to tackle issues like public misconceptions and global food insecurity.
What's life like outside of school?
Most of my time outside of school is spent on my family’s sixth generation farm north of Columbus, Nebraska. Riding pens at our feedyard, going on vet calls with my parents or helping with harvest are great weekend getaways. I enjoy watching my three younger siblings play sports or participate in 4-H and FFA events. My relationship with Christ is of highest value, and I enjoy the community I find in my church and campus ministry group. I love coaching volleyball or volunteering at my church or county fair when I get the chance. Relationships with people are so important to me, and I try to spend as much time with friends and family as possible.