Congratulations, Spring 2023 Graduates!

Abigail Alka

B.S., Agricultural Communication

First Destination: Florist — Salt Creek Floral Designs; Radio News Reporter — Whitewater Broadcasting, Randolph County, Indiana

“I am excited to set foot into the world armed with all I have learned during my time at Purdue. I am proud to have learned valuable skills like video production, brand development, and how to communicate across cultures. These skills, and more, will assist me as I continue to work in radio reporting and build my floral business.”

 

Anya Aulbach

B.S., Agricultural Communication

First Destination: 4-H Youth Development Educator —Purdue Extension-Wells County

“Purdue pushed me more than I ever imagined, and I did so many things here that made me proud — through Purdue I was able to find an internship that helped me impact youth through 4-H and FFA, which I get to make my full-time job after graduation. I am so excited to take all of the skills I’ve learned here at Purdue and put them to use both in my professional career and in side projects.”

 

Sami DeLey

B.S., Agricultural Communication

First Destination: Associate Territory Manager — Corteva Agriscience

“I’m excited to go into the unknown of my career. While growing up is scary, I’m excited to embrace the ‘uncomfy.’ I accepted my job without knowing where I would be going. I still haven’t found out where I will be, but I know I will learn and grow so much, and I couldn’t be more excited for that.”

 

Jack Garner

B.S., Agricultural Communication

“At Purdue, I equipped myself to make a great impact on my future community. Through communication, public policy, and cultural competency courses, I feel ready to lead and serve where I see a need. My major and two minors set me up for a diverse platter of career options where I can improve the lives of Hoosiers. I look forward to seeing where I end up in terms of both my job and my future hometown. Indiana is a great state already, but we need visionaries with a servant heart to keep making progress. I cannot wait to get to work!”

 

Tomi Harrod

B.S., Agricultural Communication

“While at Purdue, I had the opportunity to get involved at a national level with a nonprofit organization, Agriculture Future of America (AFA). I feel so blessed to have been able to make an impact on the agriculture industry and am thankful that Purdue offers such incredible experiences to get involved on and off campus. I am excited to give back to all the organizations that have helped me develop into the person I am.”

 

Morgan Hauger

B.S., Agricultural Communication

First Destination: Marketing Specialist — Reynolds Farm Equipment, Atlanta, Indiana

“One thing that makes me excited about the future is the opportunities that being a Boilermaker created for me. It’s very comforting knowing there is always a fellow Purdue alumnus in my corner. Being part of Purdue Agriculture will continue to open doors for me as I begin my professional career. I am excited to see how my skills and the knowledge I’ve gained will launch my career. Purdue will always be part of me, but I am excited to return to West Lafayette as an alumnus.”

 

Skylar Krepton

B.S., Agricultural Communication

“I am proud of the way I followed my passions at Purdue instead of just going with what I thought I had to do. Because I decided to step outside my comfort zone, I joined a cooperative, switched my major twice, and held positions for clubs that I would have never felt qualified to do if I did not just try them. I am proud of how I continued to follow my passions because it taught me character and shaped my personality into who I am today.”

 

Brooke Lueking

B.S., Agricultural Communication

First Destination: Resource Team — Campus Outreach, Indianapolis

“While at Purdue, I’ve had so many amazing opportunities to grow personally and professionally. From my involvement in Glenwood Cooperative, to meeting my best friends, the past four years have been so growing and rewarding. I’m so excited to use the experience and skills I’ve learned in my classes and through my involvement in student organizations in my career post-graduation. I can’t wait to combine the skills I’ve learned at Purdue and through internships with my passions in my career.”

 

Bella Monroe

B.S., Agricultural Communication

“First and foremost, choosing to transfer to Purdue University was one of the smartest choices I ever made. Not only have I served as an ambassador for the ASEC Department I was also honored to become the ACT (Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow) president shortly after joining the club. I was humbled that my peers felt that I was the best for this position. Leading the group to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention will be one of my most cherished memories.”

 

Regan Nichalson

B.S., Agricultural Communication

First Destination: Account Coordinator — Blank Page Marketing, Indianapolis

“I feel most proud about my involvement on campus and ensuring that I took advantage of every opportunity Purdue had to offer. I am excited to look back on the memories, friendships, and lessons that I gathered during my time at Purdue and use them as motivation for my next chapter in life — without Purdue I would not be who I am today.”

 

Abigail Powell

B.S., Agricultural Communication

First Destination: Indiana Sales Representative — United Utility Supply, Louisville

“I am most proud of myself for stepping outside of my comfort zone and continuing to push myself personally and professionally throughout my time here at Purdue. Being a first-generation college student and coming from a town with one stoplight, I was so nervous about even making it through four years at Purdue. I am proud of myself for balancing school, being an officer in multiple student organizations, landing internships, keeping good grades, maintaining relations, and more!”

 

Not pictured: Alida Jackson, B.S., Agricultural Communication

 

Helen Eaglin

B.S., Agricultural Education

“My classmates make me most excited about the future. Hearing their stories about their student teaching experiences and seeing them accomplish their goals makes me excited. We have been through a lot these last few years. Now, we are all about to enter the next stage makes me eager to see what comes next for all of us.” of the people I have influenced.”

 

Brittany Gonzales

B.S., Agricultural Education

“The experiences I had during my time at Purdue have served me well, even though I just got a glimpse into what my future will look like in the classroom. The Indiana Association of Agricultural Educators-Purdue chapter is such a safe and strong community that I was blessed to be involved with. I look forward to getting my own classroom and making it a similar safe space for students to grow personally and within their education. For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a teacher and I'm proud to say I am going to be an agriculture educator.”

 

Cheyenne Karst

B.S., Agricultural Education

“What makes me most proud about my time at Purdue is all the new things I was able to learn and all the experiences I had. Of course, you are expected to learn new things while you are in college, but I never could have imagined the amount of knowledge I would gain with my degree. I was also able to develop many new skills. If you had asked me just a few years ago, I never would have expected that I would be able to weld, let alone teach others how to do it!”

 

Dillon Muhlenkamp

B.S., Agricultural Education

“While at Purdue I was honored to be a part of the Grand Prix Foundation. In the foundation, I was able to grow as a leader while putting on the greatest spectacle in college racing. I made lifelong friends and memories that I will cherish forever. Looking forward, I am excited to be in the field of teaching! After my student teaching experience, I am ready to see the next generation of agriculturists graduate and start to change the world!”

 

Preston Parrish

B.S., Agricultural Education

“I am looking forward to creating my own mark on the world. More specifically, I look forward to impacting the next generation of students who will need guidance. I strive to see others’ success. My future goals include possibly continuing my education to the next level and maybe steering into new career paths, if one fits.”

 

Abigayle Ross

B.S., Agricultural Education

First Destination: Biology/Agriculture Teacher — Trinity Lutheran High School, Seymour, Indiana

“At Purdue, I was given many opportunities to grow as a future educator, as well as a person. These areas of growth have included being part of Shoemaker Cooperative, IAAE-Purdue, and an ASEC Mentor. I will take the skills I’ve obtained from these opportunities and apply them in the next stage of my life. As I enter the teaching world, I’m excited to provide my students with the opportunities they need to grow and be successful in their educational, professional, and personal experiences.”

 

Jillian Schroeder

B.S., Agricultural Education

“I am excited about the innovation and growth happening in the agricultural industry. My grandpa tells me stories from when he started farming and it is vastly different from what we do today. I cannot wait to see what farming and agriculture looks like in the next 50 years. The students are bright and have their whole lives ahead of them to make changes in agriculture. I am grateful for the opportunity to help foster a love of agriculture in my students and encourage them to be change-makers themselves.”

 

Brieanna Slonaker

B.S., Agricultural Education

“I am excited to share the world of agriculture with consumers! Agriculture is a broad area, so being able to help educate people on where their food comes from and how it is produced is a need in this world. I am excited to work hand-in-hand with both farmers and consumers on topics that are important to food and society. Agriculture is the one thing that people need three times a day, so being able to educate about a topic that matters to life is a humbling experience and I am proud to a part of it.”

 

Jonathan Stockdale

B.S., Agricultural Education

“What I am excited for most about the future is the endless opportunities that we have, specifically in agricultural education. We are going into a time where courses like ours are of importance in schools across Indiana and the country. There are more jobs for agricultural educators now than ever and students out there are eager to learn about our subjects. I know my classmates and I are eager to be able to help educate those students in the near future.”

 

Karley Yager

B.S., Agricultural Education

“One of my favorite subject areas was horticulture.  After completing several horticulture courses, I was given the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for the Plant Propagation course.  I am proud of my success in these courses and the opportunity I was given to enhance the education of later classes. I am most excited for taking the connections and friendships I made while at Purdue to further develop my skills as an effective educator and enhance the educational experience I give to my students.”

 

Ashby Grimes

B.S., Interdisciplinary Agriculture

“While being at Purdue I have had so many new experiences, have learned so much, and have had just an overall great time. I am excited to continue with my education and use what I have learned here at Purdue for my future career in extension. What I am most excited about for my future is to connect and help educate those in the Indiana 4-H program. I hope with my life experiences that I can make an impact in Indiana 4-H or wherever my path takes me.”

 

Logan Overman

B.S., Interdisciplinary Agriculture

“During my time at Purdue, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Greece. This experience is one of my fondest accomplishments, because it allowed me to connect with agriculture globally. Traveling abroad has provided me with a new perspective on culture and how agriculture is connected. The most exciting part about the future is that it is unknown and that we have the capablilty to write our story. Although I may not know the destination, I am excited about the journey and the stops along the way.”

 

Sarah Thies

M.S., Agricultural Education

“During my time at Purdue, I am proud of my perseverance in the development of abstracts and scholarly writings and the skills I developed during those experiences. Looking at my future, I am excited to take my new experiences and knowledge back to Montana to help students find their passion for learning and to prepare them for their future careers.”