Capturing memories at Purdue
Name: Jade Larrison
Hometown: Grand Haven, MI
Major: Agricultural Business
Minors: Crop Science, Farm Management
Why did you come to Purdue: I saw that Purdue had an amazing College of Agriculture online, and found the AgEcon department! After meeting with the advising team, I knew it was the right place for me, and I’ve loved my time at Purdue.
Favorite Purdue tradition: The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in the Union
Top three influences at Purdue:
- The agricultural economics advising team
- My Crops Judging Team advisors (Corey Gerber and Jeff Bradford)
- People I’ve met throughout college
- Purdue getting second place at NACTA
- The 2024 and 2025 Rising Professionals programs
- Being a photographer for the Exponent freshman year
- Basketball games in the lower bowl of Mackey
- AFA Leaders Conference and Institutes
Five places you have been as a Purdue student:
- Study abroad in Iceland and Costa Rica
- Western Texas for NACTA
- Southern U.S. for a BASF internship
- Kansas City for the AFA leaders conference
- AFA institutes: San Diego, Washington D.C., St. Louis
Favorite club/organization: Agriculture Future of America
Favorite student-led event/initiative: Ag Council’s Moonlight pancake breakfast
Favorite Purdue event: Basketball games
Favorite place to study: Lily Greenhouses
Favorite thing about CoA: That it’s brought me my favorite people! I have met some of my best friends in classes and while studying abroad through the College of Ag.
Favorite class: AGRY 105
Favorite professor: Dr. Byrd
Class you are excited to take your senior year: AGEC 411
Three biggest accomplishments at Purdue:
- Growing more confident in myself throughout college and completing three different internships
- Being chosen for the Mortar Board class of 2026
- Serving as the 2025 Purdue AFA Ambassador
Something about you that is not listed on your resume: Now and then, I do photography for people. I’ve done weddings, senior photos, engagement photos and other events. While I don’t have a business, I truly enjoy capturing people’s most exciting moments!
Future plans: I will be joining Corteva in their Associate Territory Manager (ATM) Program after graduation this spring!
Advice for underclassmen: Don’t ever convince yourself that you can’t do something. Everything is in your reach, and you’ll never know if you don’t try! All of my favorite memories are from times I tried something new.
The biggest takeaway from Purdue: My biggest takeaway is that I grew so much from being out of my comfort zone, from traveling around the world to being away from home. Each one of those experiences was difficult in its way, but being open to something new has opened doors for me that I never even knew were there. “For I know the plans I have for you…,” - Jeremiah 29:11