Small Town Boilermaker Making Purdue Her Home Away From Home
Name: Madisyn Kerr
Hometown: Cedar Grove, Indiana
Major & concentration: Agribusiness Management
Minors or certificates: Crop Science and Farm Management
Why did you come to Purdue: As a first-generation college student, finding a school that felt like home was crucial to me. Watching my brother graduate as a Boilermaker and seeing his success inspired me to follow him, making Purdue feel like my home away from home!
Favorite Purdue tradition: Den Pops
Top three influences at Purdue:
- The College of Agriculture
- LeeAnn Williams and the entire AGEC advising department
- Women in Agriculture Learning Community
Top five memories of your time at Purdue:
- Sledding on Slayter Hill
- Meeting my best friends and going on late night adventures with them
- The first basketball game I attended in Mackey
- Going to Harry’s for my 21st
- Flipping pancakes until 2:00 in the morning during Grand Prix week
Places you have been as a Purdue student:
- Kansas City, Missouri with AFA
- Des Moines, Iowa internship with Corteva Agriscience
- Raleigh, North Carolina networking with BASF
Favorite club/organization: Purdue Agricultural Council
Favorite student-led event/initiative: Ag Week
Favorite social activity: Moonlight Pancake Breakfast
Favorite place to study: Hick’s Underground Library
Favorite thing about CoA: The College of Agriculture is packed with tons of opportunities and an awesome staff rooting for your success!
Favorite thing about your major: The versatility I experience as I navigate my path in the agriculture industry.
Favorite class: AGRY 105 or AGEC 331
Favorite professor: Dr. Lee Schweitzer, Dr. Ellison, and Dr. Corey Gerber
Three biggest accomplishments:
- Graduating in 3 ½ years
- Serving as the 2024 Treasurer of Purdue Agricultural Council
- Earning an internship with Corteva Agriscience
Things on your resume not listed above:
- Spending two summers in the equipment sales world before deciding my passion was in the agronomic side of the industry
- Ag Econ Envoy
Career goal: My long-term goal is to return home to Indiana. I hope to pursue a career and contribute to my family farm.
Advice for underclassmen: Never doubt your worthiness for an opportunity. Apply for that big internship, sign up for that tough class, and join that organization. Failure, though inevitable, teaches you so much about yourself. That small leap can become your biggest accomplishment.
Biggest takeaway from Purdue: The person you sit next to in class could be the key to unlocking unexpected doors in your future. Make the most of your time at Purdue: embrace every opportunity, cherish the small moments, and challenge yourself.