Senior cherishes the memories and friendships created while traveling the world; now intrigued by the challenges of feeding a growing population
Name: Genna Wethington
Hometown: Geneseo, IL
High school: Geneseo High School
Major & Concentration: Agribusiness Management
Why did you come to Purdue: I knew I wanted to attend a top agricultural school. I visited Purdue early in my senior year and fell in love with the campus and all the Ag Econ department had to offer.
Favorite Purdue tradition: Fountain runs
Top three influences at Purdue:
- Sigma Alpha sisters
- Dr. Lee Schweitzer
- Past & present Ag Econ Envoys
Five words to describe Purdue:
- Home
- Fun
- Challenging
- Spirited
- Prestigious
Top five highlights of your career:
- Studying abroad in Florence, Italy
- President of the Western Equestrian Team
- Being an Ag Econ envoy
- Meeting my best friends
- Attending AFA events and meeting students from all across the US
Something you wish you would have done at Purdue: Gone on a short-term Ag study abroad!
Places you have been as a Purdue student:
- Italy - Study Abroad
- AFA Leaders Conference in Kansas City
- AFA Crop Science Institutes in Raleigh, North Carolina & Des Moines, Iowa
- Internship with Monsanto
Have to redo college in a major not in Ag: Sociology/Psychology...How people think and act has always fascinated me.
Favorite club/organization: Ag Econ Envoys
Favorite Student-led event/initiative: Ag Week Hammer Down Hunger
Favorite Purdue event: Basketball games
Favorite place to study: AGAD Room 121
Over your career where were you most likely to be found on campus: AGAD or Krannert
Favorite spot on campus: Also AGAD
Favorite thing about CoA: It's very close-knit, I know so many awesome people across the college that are great connections now and will be in the future too.
Favorite thing about AGEC: How well they ensure we are ready for a career after college.
Favorite thing about your major: The diversity of opportunities I can pursue after graduation
Favorite class: AGEC 430 with Dr. Gunderson and Craig Carter
Favorite professor: Dr. Lee Schweitzer in Agronomy
Coolest project: CapSim simulation for AGEC 430 - extremely difficult, but imitates how businesses have to work cohesively in the real world to be successful.
Three biggest accomplishments:
- Earning an "A" in AGEC 430
- President of the Western Equestrian Team
- Receiving the John Hicks scholarship
Three words to describe you:
- Ambitious
- Energetic
- Personable
What are you passionate for: Improving agriculture and living/creating a sustainable life!
What intrigues you about the Ag industry: We are facing one of the most difficult challenges of feeding a growing population along with a great deal of opposition to our scientific advancements. We have the opportunity to educate and change people's minds, while doing so will change the lives of many.
What motivates you: The opportunity to make a difference. Not every industry touches the lives of every single person in the world like agriculture does.
Favorite quote: "The most effective way to do it, is to do it" - Amelia Earhart
Personal Motto: “Life’s a garden, dig it”
Where do you want to end up: Working in seed/chemicals/ag technology working face-to-face with farmers! Possibly working an international role, getting to travel and help improve agriculture around the world.
Advice for underclassman: Get involved! Beyond meeting great people and getting to do things I enjoy, I've learned valuable skills/lessons that have helped to prepare me for the real world, which is so important for everyone to succeed after graduation!
Biggest takeaway from Purdue: Never stop learning - in classes, from alumni, at conferences, and in work. Especially in ag, things are changing all the time and there’s always resources to keep learning and challenging yourself to be more educated and making informed decisions.