Madisen Carns Headshot

Planting Seeds to Grow at Purdue

Name: Madisen Carns

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Major & concentration: Ag Sales and Marketing

Why did you come to Purdue: I came to Purdue because I visited it during an FFA State Convention and decided it was the only college that I wanted to attend. 

Favorite Purdue tradition: Fountain Runs!

Madisen with a group of friends

Top three influences at Purdue:

  1. LeeAnn Williams (my advisor)
  2. Todd Kuethe and Andy Oppy (study abroad instructors)
  3. Bryan Young (Weed Science Lab)
Top five memories of your time at Purdue: 
  1. Meeting my maid of honor in my first communications class during my freshman year
  2. Working in the Weed Science Lab with Bryan Young, focusing on herbicide efficacy
  3. Running the Purdue 5k for cancer (TWICE!)
  4. Serving pancakes with the Purdue Ag Council at Moonlight Pancake Breakfast
  5. Serving as an Ag Econ Envoy and meeting some of my favorite people through it!

Places you have been as a Purdue student: 

  • Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Costa Rica — Purdue Ag Study Abroad Programs
  • Michigan for Helena Internship
  • Illinois for Bayer Internship
  • California, North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Washington D.C. and Colorado for Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Conferences
  • Dallas, Texas, for the Agriculture Retailers Association (ARA)

Madisen with friends Madisen with friends at a football game

Favorite club/organization: Ag Econ Envoys

Favorite student-led event/initiative: Moonlight Pancake Breakfast!

Favorite Purdue event: Purdue Grand Prix

Favorite place to study: ABE Building or Ag Econ Undergraduate Office

Favorite thing about CoA: All of the opportunities to get involved! There are so many clubs and other ways to meet people and find a place on campus.

Favorite class: BTNY 304 - Weed Science

Favorite professor: Corey Gerber or LeeAnn Moss

Class you are excited to take your senior year: BTNY 504 or AGEC 431

Madisen with friends

Three biggest accomplishments at Purdue: 

  1. Being involved in seven clubs/organizations and feeling like I made an impact in them
  2. Earning a Helena Intern of the Year award
  3. Studying abroad in seven different countries!

Something about you that is not listed on your resume: I am an avid reader who will read at least five books or more a month.

Future plans: My goal is to work in a weed science-related career, whether it is sales, marketing or an agronomy-based role.

Advice for underclassmen: Do not be afraid to change your major/minors to fit what interests you. You may also not know what you want to do until later in your college career, and that is OKAY!

The biggest takeaway from Purdue: The people you meet here are going to be the ones to help you build the rest of your life. Keep them close and cherish each relationship you build!