Kansas State University

Congratulations to our 2020 Graduates for Agricultural Education!

Falon Kickhaefer

Favorite memory: My favorite memory at K-State was working together with my best friend at Academy Sports and Outdoors as well as attending football and basketball games.

Post Grad Plans: After graduation I will return to my hometown to begin my teaching career at Herington High School.

Karlea Hyman

Favorite memory: I would say my greatest memory of K-State is meeting my lifelong friends. They are what made K-State so great.

Post Grad Plans: I accepted an agricultural education job at Kiowa County High School in Greensburg Kansas.

Caitlin Dreher

Favorite memory at KState: Traveling to the Czech Republic on a faculty-led study abroad tour and gaining a new perspective in both agriculture and education.

Post grad plans: Attending Oklahoma State University to pursue a masters in agricultural leadership.

Cara Wolverton

Favorite Memory: Wing and Slider Wednesday with my friends!

Post Grad Plans: Teach High School Agriculture

Jenna Thurman

Favorite memory: Going to National convention with Ag Ed club and talking with potential future KSU students, along with helping with convention contests!

Plans after graduation: I plan to substitute teach for a year until a possible job opens up close to where I want to be.

Casey Ballard

K-State Memory: My favorite memory at K-State is getting to share my passion for agriculture with youth. I had the amazing opportunity to help teach workshops at the MANRRS Conference in Overland Park, Kansas during my Fall 2019 semester with youth from around the country.

Post Grad Plans: Pursing a career in Agricultural Education, teaching High School Agriculture and advising youth as an FFA advisor.

Allison Dix

Favorite Memory: My favorite K-State memory was when I traveled to Ireland on a study abroad trip with Dr. Ellis and other Ag Education and Ag Communications students. Seeing agriculture in a new country has helped me teach my students about how food, fuel, and fiber is made in another country.

Post-Grad Plans: I will be starting my first year as an agricultural education instructor at Cheylin schools in Bird City Kansas.

Victoria Thompson

Favorite memory at K-State-Being in the Marching Band and getting to celebrate every Wildcat Victory with 450+ of my closest friends!!

Post-Grad Plans: I’ve accepted an agricultural education position at Ness City Jr./Sr. High School as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.

Trenton Smedley

Favorite Memory: Storming the field at BSFS after beating OU!

Post Grad Plans: I will be teaching agriculture and chartering an FFA chapter at Olathe West High School.

Katelyn Pinkston

My favorite memory at K-State would have to be playing on intramural teams. I played softball, basketball, volleyball, and flag football. Each of the teams that I was on was so much fun and it was a good break from studying!

After graduating, I plan to teach middle or high school agricultural education classes and serve as an FFA advisor. I am looking forward to working with students and teaching about agricultural topics!

Not pictured

• Mariah Moore
• Jenna Langer
• SaRae Roberts
• Tim Kennedy
• Carlogene Romans
• Dominic Ruppert
• Matthew Milholm
• Hannah Hosick
• Mackenzie Tynon
• Royce Powelson
• Elizabeth Meyer
• Victoria Kimbrough
• Morgan Jilek
• Zachary Callaghan

 

We want to celebrate our graduating seniors! Read on to learn more about our graduating seniors from the agricultural communications and journalism major.

Brooklyn Adam

“ACJ has prepared me for my future by giving me the real-life, hands-on experience and practical classes with content related to real-world scenarios.”

 

Adrian Austin

“My favorite part of ACJ is our awesome faculty and staff. The leaders of this department truly cultivate a family atmosphere and care bout the success and well-being of students.”

 

Sierra Cargill

“I loved the design class in ACJ. I feel like I am a better communicator and have learned skills that I am excited to use. Enjoy your time in ACJ, it goes fast!”

 

Brigid Ernst

“I would like to work in government public affairs in the dairy industry.  K-State has provided her a very hands-on realistic education for the career.”

Kaci Foraker

“My favorite memory in ACJ is traveling to Ireland on a faculty-led study abroad and working together

 

Amber Helwig

“ACJ has prepared me for my future by providing me with opportunities to work with clients and companies for class projects and assignments.”

 

Mikey Hughes

“ACT really helped me lay the foundation for my future. Even if that doesn’t impact you as deeply, the industry and peer connections alone make it worthwhile Joining an being involved is literally like getting a head start into the professional world of agricultural communications.

 

Amber Kelly

“The people are what make this department so great. My favorite part of ACJ is the connections I’ve formed with students, faculty and staff- from early morning meetings with donuts provided by Dr. Burke to the “momma hugs” I got from Mrs. Patty anytime I had a bad day.”

 

Jena Lyn

 

Mary Marsh

“The ACJ classes strengthened my abilities as a writer, got me connected with professionals in the industry and introduced me to new tools that made me more marketable.”

 

Janae McKinney

 

“I love the faculty of ACJ and how much they truly care about students. They are always there to talk or give advice or even ask about your day. The faculty and staff make it feel like a family on the third floor of Umberger. I also love the classes in ACJ and the hands-on projects. We make a nationally awarded magazine each semester, we work with real clients on communication projects and create designs that enhance our portfolio.

Emily Meinhardt

“The ACJ program prepares you to be a well-rounded communicator by requiring classes that will challenge you in different ways. It also provides real-world experience to allow you to put the skills you’ve learned to use.”

Laura Rouw

“I love learning fun facts about my teachers and professors. Dr. Levy Randolph had a snuggie phase. Dr. Katie Burke collects rocks and recently decided to raise chickens. Dr. Ellis played football in middle school and was an offensive lineman (which is funny to anyone who’s seen him).”

 

Brityne Rucker

“My education prepared me for my future in the biggest way possible. Without the connections I made through my first internship at Kansas State University with K-State Research and Extension, I would have never had my full-time position now in the ag broadcasting industry.”

 

Taylor Todd

“Don’t be complacent, make connections and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. I strongly believe networking is the most important thing you can do for yourself.”

 

Allison Wakefield

“Go above and beyond on your assignments. Sometimes it is to easy to get in a rut and just do enough for a good grade, but the projects we do in class can have a lasting impact on your portfolio, and also show that you can do more than just what is asked from you on the rubric.”

 

Katherine Wist

“Serving as the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow national member relations coordinator has allowed me to see the quality of education and the family culture here at K-State.”