Huckin’ It Forward

Zachary Spangler's Headshot

Name: Zachary Spangler

Hometown: Yorktown, IN

Major: Farm Management

Minor: Agricultural Systems Management and Global Food and Agriculture Systems

Why did you come to Purdue: I came to Purdue because I wanted to get my degree from one of the best ag schools in the world. Once I stepped foot on campus for my first tour, I knew Purdue was the place for me.

Favorite Purdue tradition: Fountain Run

Zach Spangler with family Zach Spangler with friend

Top three influences at Purdue:

  1. Christine Strong
  2. My professors
  3. All my amazing and supportive friends
Top five memories of your time at Purdue: 
  1. Watching Purdue Basketball play for the National Championship in Mackey
  2. Winning an IM Ultimate Frisbee Championship twice
  3. Sledding down Slayter Hill
  4. Running my first half-marathon at the Purdue Half Marathon
  5. Attending the AFA Leaders Conference every year

Spangler at a Purdue game

Four places you have been as a Purdue student: 

  • Kansas City, MO (AFA Leaders Institute)
  • Madison, WI (Purdue Football Game)
  • Ann Arbor, MI (Purdue Football Game)
  • Champaign, IL (Purdue Football Game)

Favorite club/organization: Reformed University Fellowship (RUF)

Favorite student-led event/initiative: Boiler Gold Rush (BGR)

Favorite Purdue event: Night football games

Favorite place to study: Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE)

Favorite thing about CoA: How close the community of students and faculty feels

Favorite class: AGRY 375 with Dr. Schweitzer

Favorite professor: Chad Fiechter

Class you are excited to take your senior year: AGEC 352

Spangler with sport team

Three biggest accomplishments at Purdue: 

  1. Being an Ag Econ Top 5 Most Outstanding Sophomore
  2. Getting Dean's List and Semester Honors every year
  3. Getting internships every year of college

Something about you that is not listed on your resume: Winning Kicks for Cash during the Indiana State vs Purdue Football Game and getting free burgers for a year from AJ’s.

Future plans: Currently looking at my options between returning to the family farm and jobs in the ag industry

Advice for underclassmen: Enjoy your time at Purdue because it really does go quickly.

The biggest takeaway from Purdue: Being able to build a large and diverse network that I can reach out to, knowing they will support me for many years to come