Ever Grateful for growth

Laci McGinnis professional headshot

Name: Laci McGinnis

Hometown: Portland, IN

Major: Ag Sales and Marketing; Business Communication

Minor: Farm Management

Why did you come to Purdue: My rural background and experiences in FFA and 4‑H sparked my passion for agriculture and people, making Purdue the clear—and only—school I chose to apply to.

Favorite Purdue tradition: Grand Prix!

McGinnis with Envoys on Boilermaker Special

Top three influences at Purdue:

  1. Ag econ advisors
  2. Shoemaker Cooperative
  3. External experiences - internships and conferences
Top five memories of your time at Purdue: 
  1. The Solar Eclipse + National Championship Day during the 2024 March Madness run
  2. Living with my best friends in Shoemaker!
  3. Touring Mackey during a hosting day for AGEC 431
  4. Sledding down Slayter Hill!
  5. Riding in an airplane above campus
Places you have been as a Purdue student: 
  • Kansas City for AFA Leaders Conference
  • Ann Arbor, MI for a Foodservice Sales Internship with Grande Cheese Co.
  • Decatur, IL for a Milling & Baking Sales Internship with ADM
  • Disney World with ANSC 495
  • National FFA Conference to represent the CoA

Favorite club/organization: Ag Econ Envoys

Favorite student-led event: Ag Week

Favorite Purdue event: Basketball games!

Favorite place to study: Ag Admin

Favorite thing about CoA: How many great individuals are in the department, both as students and staff!

Favorite class: AGEC 431

Favorite professor: Dr. Byrd

McGinnis with co-op housemates McGinnis with friends in Mackey Tunnel

Class you are excited to take your senior year: ANSC 495

Three biggest accomplishments at Purdue: 

  1. Achieving Semester Honors and Dean’s List
  2. Having great internship opportunities
  3. Serving as Shoemaker Cooperative’s President

Something about you that is not listed on your resume: I love going to concerts. My all-time favorite was the final Buffalo Bills Stadium Concert with Parker McCollum, Chris Stapleton and George Straight!

McGinnis with Loucks at scholarship dinner

Future plans: I have not accepted a full-time position yet, but I hope to begin my career in the agricultural industry as a sales associate

Advice for underclassmen: Saying yes will take you far at Purdue. From meaningful internships to lifelong friendships, you’ll constantly find chances to grow, learn and connect. There’s always a new opportunity waiting—you just have to take it!

The biggest takeaway from Purdue: Purdue didn’t just teach me—it transformed me. It pushed me to grow, helped me discover my career path, and surrounded me with a community that feels like family. That growth, that clarity and those people are what I’m ever grateful for.

.