Came to Purdue to wrestle, but experienced much more than Athletics
Name: Jonathan Morales
Hometown: Kirklin, IN
High school: Western Boone Jr/Sr High School
Major & Concentration: Double major with Agricultural Systems Management & Ag Economics and a minor in Farm Management
Why did you come to Purdue: I came to Purdue because of the great Ag program and also to continue my wrestling career.
Favorite Purdue tradition: My favorite Purdue tradition is going to the football games with friends and family
Top three influences at Purdue:
- Tony Ersland: my head wrestling coach
- Tyrel Todd: Assistant wrestling coach (pictured with Jon, above)
- Marty Dittmar: FCA pastor
Five words to describe Purdue:
- Amazing
- Prideful
- Exciting
- Emotional
- Rigorous
Top highlights of your career:
- Being a part of the Purdue wrestling team
- Beating IU every year I was here in wrestling
- Beating Ohio State in football this year
- Seeing Mackey arena completely packed almost every time there is a game
Something you wish you would have done at Purdue: I wish I would have been involved in the Purdue Bass fishing club because I really enjoy fishing
Places you have been as a Purdue student: I have been a lot of places for competitions such as all around the Midwest and east coast.
Have to redo college in a major not in Ag: I would do BCM: building construction management.
Favorite club/organization: Aside from being on the wrestling team I enjoyed being involved with FCA
Favorite Student-led event/initiative: Bible Studies in FCA
Favorite Purdue event: Purdue vs Ohio State game in football and winning
Favorite place to study: I liked to study at the old ABE building but since it is being rebuilt I enjoy going to Lily 2400
Over your career where were you most likely to be found on campus: I was most likely to be found in the wrestling room
Favorite spot on campus: The statue by Ross-Ade
Favorite thing about AGEC: Building good friendships in my AGEC classes and learning about markets.
Favorite class: ASM 422
Favorite professor: Dr. Dan Ess
Coolest project: Working on my capstone currently with surface temperature reading of grain, and it has been the coolest project I have been involved with.
Biggest accomplishments:
- Big ten academic honors
- Keeping above a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Graduating with 2 majors and 1 minor
Things on your resume not listed above: I have my remote pilots license; I have my CDL; I am fluent in two languages
Three words to describe you:
- Perseverant
- Dedicated
- Hardworking
What are you passionate for: I am passionate for wrestling and farming
What intrigues you about the Ag industry: I am intrigued by the fact that the ag industry can feed so many people throughout the world, it's amazing to me.
What motivates you: I am motivated by trying to be a better version of myself every single day.
Favorite quote: "You reap what you sow" Galatians 6:7
Personal Motto: Where there is a will there's a way
Accepted employment: I have accepted a job with Terra Drive Systems in Brookston, IN as a National Account Manager
Where do you want to end up: I want to end up with a cattle ranch of my own by the age of 45.
Advice for underclassman: Never quit trying to learn and push yourself each day to a new potential because it is the only way to keep growing
Biggest takeaway from Purdue: Don't take your time for granted because it goes by really fast.