Born to wear gold and black

Jenna Kelsay's professional headshot

Name: Jenna Kelsay

Hometown: Franklin, IN

Major: Agribusiness - Marketing

Minor(s): Real Estate, Event Meeting and Management, Farm Management

Certificate: Entrepreneurship

Kelsay standing with NAMA team holding 1st place plaque

Why did you come to Purdue: The people! I immediately felt welcome and at home on campus, and my parents met here, so I was born to wear gold and black!

Favorite Purdue tradition: The fountain run!

Top three influences at Purdue:

  1. College of Ag professors, staff and advisors
  2. Delta Gamma sisters
  3. NAMA teammates
Top five memories of your time at Purdue: 
  1. Both of my study abroad experiences in Costa Rica and Ireland
  2. Game days with friends and family 
  3. Serving as President of my sorority
  4. Traveling with my NAMA team
  5. Spending vacations with Purdue friends!
Places you have been as a Purdue student: 
  • Costa Rica - College of Agriculture Study Abroad
  • Ireland - College of Agriculture Study Abroad
  • Kansas City, MO - AFA and NAMA Conferences
  • St. Louis, MO - NAMA Conference
  • Orlando, FL - NAFDMA Conference

Kelsay standing atop a cliff overlooking the ocean in Ireland Kelsay with friends dressed in rain gear in Costa Rica

Favorite club/organization: National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA)

Favorite student-led event: Purdue Old Masters

Favorite Purdue event: College of Ag Ice Cream Social

Favorite place to study: Krannert

Favorite thing about CoA: The people! I have met my lifelong friends, mentors and my fiancé through the College of Agriculture

Favorite class: AGEC 331

Favorite professor: Dr. Downey

Class you are excited to take your senior year: AGR 490

Kelsay standing next to Purdue Pete Kelsay with friends in front of pink neon do good sign

Three biggest accomplishments at Purdue: 

  1. 1st place team in the Dean V. White Real Estate Development Case Competition
  2. 1st place team in the student NAMA competition
  3. Top 5 Junior, Sophomore and Freshman in Agricultural Economics

Something about you that is not listed on your resume: I love to travel!

Future plans: I plan to return to my family’s agritourism farm and continue to expand our business to continue to educate our community about agriculture. I’m excited to grow our events, field trips and experiences while continuing to share our story.

Advice for underclassmen: Say yes and get involved! It’s the fastest way to find your people and place at Purdue.

The biggest takeaway from Purdue: My biggest takeaway from Purdue is that growth comes from saying yes, embracing new opportunities and surrounding yourself with a community that supports you.