Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Cheyenne Tate

Cheyenne Tate is a senior in animal sciences with a concentration in biosciences. 

Tate is from Waveland, Indiana, where she grew up on a family farm that specialized in cow-calf operations.

Although Tate is studying animal sciences now, she originally came to Purdue University to pursue a degree in engineering. She changed her major to animal sciences during her sophomore year at Purdue. She chose to change her major because of her background in the cattle industry.

“I knew I wanted to make a difference in the agriculture industry and animal sciences at Purdue would give me the opportunity to do so,” Tate said.

During her time as an undergraduate student, Tate has been involved in the Purdue Collegiate Cattlemen’s Club, and she worked at the Animal Sciences Research and Education Center (ASREC) in the dairy unit.

According to Tate, although she took a “non-traditional” path at Purdue, her biggest accomplishment is that she can graduate on time as a first-generation college student.

Tate said the biggest strength of the Purdue Animal Sciences program is the sense of community it creates.

“Everyone knows everyone, and we are all looking out for each other,” Tate said. “I could not have made it these four years without my amazing advisor, James Krotz.”

After she graduates, Tate plans to become a beef cattle nutritionist. She said that the animal sciences department helped prepare her for this future career.

“Purdue has offered many classes that have strengthened this passion of mine,” Tate said. “The prestigious faculty have much knowledge of this industry, and I appreciate the high-quality instruction from them.”

Tate also shared advice for incoming students.

“I would tell incoming students to not be afraid to change your mind,” Tate said. “A lot will change in the next coming years, and you should embrace it as it comes.”

Featured Stories

Cow being tested with technology created with AgSEED grant.
AgSEED grants grow success

The average long-term return on the stock market is about 10 percent. For AgSEED, the Purdue...

Read More
Four adults talking at a table with healthy food
U.S. consumers report diet satisfaction patterns in latest Consumer Food Insights survey

The January Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI) sought to determine whether those classified as...

Read More
Conner Kesslar stands with friends at FFA convention
Preparing to teach the next generation

Growing up in LaGrange, Indiana, surrounded by small towns and strong agricultural roots, Conner...

Read More
Abigail Bothwell holds Purdue flag on study ab
A world of opportunity in Agricultural Economics

Growing up traveling the world, Abigail Bothwell always wanted to see how agriculture connects...

Read More
Corn and wheat crops in a field with a blue sky in the background.
Purdue agronomy faculty members earn 2025 ACSESS Fellows

The Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies (ACSESS) have acknowledged three...

Read More
Ag Barometer
Farmer sentiment drops sharply at start of 2026 as economic concerns increase

Farmer sentiment weakened sharply in January, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy...

Read More