Hometown: Edgeley, North Dakota
Major: Doctor of Plant Health and Ph.D. Agronomy
Anticipated date of graduation: May 2019
Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln?
I chose UNL because it is one of two universities that offer a professional doctorate degree in agronomy. I like that this degree is a very in depth study of the different sciences that are used in production agriculture. The focus of the Doctor of Plant Health program is the practical use of interdisciplinary knowledge. I currently work as a professional agronomist in North Dakota and all of the information that I am learning at UNL has useful implications in my career.
What is your favorite thing about the university?
The people that I have met here and the fertile atmosphere for ideas. I have had the pleasure to meet quite a few people from different areas of the world as well as Nebraska and I have found the deep intellectual conversations that I've had at UNL about science, education and life in general to be very rewarding.
What is your favorite class you have taken so far and why?
My favorite class so far has been phytopathogenic nematodes. I enjoyed that we studied actual current challenges involving nematodes as well as working with live nematodes under the microscope and the thought provoking discussions that we had in class about how science is applied to solve real
world problems. I was also very intrigued by the questions in my mind that this class sparked, so much so, that I am now also pursuing a Ph.D. in agronomy studying nematodes.
What are your plans post-graduation?
I intend to continue to work as an agronomist helping farmers to grow safe and plentiful food while conserving the soil and other vital natural resources. I also intend to perform my own small scale research using the many skills I have learned at UNL. In the future I may explore the possibility of teaching at the college level.
What's life like outside school?
I have career demands that occupy much of my time outside of school but when I have the chance, I try to engage others in meaningful conversation and respectful debates that challenge the way I view the world.