Students in the Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources gain hands-on experience in classes
and in the field and learn cutting-edge techniques and technology from world-class faculty and staff members. In addition to experiences in wildlife, aquatic sciences and forestry majors, Purdue FNR students are involved in many other clubs and organizations across campus.
In the FNR Faces in the Crowd feature series, we will introduce you to FNR students in other aspects of their lives from sports to social and extracurricular activities to military service and beyond.
In the first three editions of Faces in the Crowd, we get to know three students who can be seen performing with the All-American Marching Band. Senior wildlife major Megan Kiselica and junior wildlife and aquatic sciences major Phoebe Soldi play the clarinet and tuba respectively, while senior wildlife major Maraya “Ray” Neff is a member of the Golden Silks Color Guard. The trio can be seen on the field at football games, marching in parades and much more.
Meet Megan Kiselica. Megan dreams of someday becoming a conservation officer or park ranger in the Pacific Northwest. She attended Summer Practicum in May 2021, has been as teaching assistance for the Mammals and Birds Lab, built huts for hellbenders at the Aquatic Research Lab and has volunteered with the Columbian Park Zoo. She is also a member of the Dean’s Scholars Program, is involved in the Zoo Club and Disney Appreciation Club and acts as a tour guide for Purdue Admissions.
Meet Ray Neff. In addition to Summer Practicum and the Purdue Student Society of Arboriculture, Ray has gained natural resources experience with the Epworth Forest Conference Center and Dirt Artisans. She has been a member of the Golden Silks for five years.
Neff took Purdue FNR behind the scenes of Homecoming Weekend, answering questions and sharing her FNR classes as well the Homecoming parade and football game, through an Instagram takeover. Check out the highlights by clicking the Homecoming 2021 highlights circle on the main Purdue FNR Instagram account page.
