student life

ACEL students at ATI named Outstanding Students

Group photo of seven students holding award certificates.
At the end of Spring Semester, seven ACEL students at our Wooster campus were honored as an Outstanding Ohio State ATI Student.
Congratulations to these ACEL ATI Buckeyes:
Brett Kinzel, agricultural communication
Kyla McCoy, agriscience education
Patrick Miller, agriscience education
Cory Myers, agriscience education
Kylie Ramirez, agricultural communication
Emily Schmitz, agriscience education
Haley Warren, agriscience education
These students will continue their education at our Columbus campus this fall as they work towards a bachelor’s degree.

ACEL senior named Homecoming Court Member

CFAES Student and 4-H alumna Maddie Allman has been selected for the 2021 Ohio State University Homecoming Court. This honor does not come easily, and Allman attributes much of her success to her 4-H experience. Read about Maddie’s 4-H story by the Ohio 4-H Foundation here: https://ohio4h.org/…/september-2021/4-h-royalty-ohio-state

Voting for Homecoming Court Royals begins on Friday, September 24th and ends on Friday, October 1st. Each undergraduate student will have the opportunity to cast two votes. The 2021 Royal Buckeyes will be announced during pre-game on Saturday, October 9, 2021.

Each member of Ohio State’s homecoming court also chooses an organization they are passionate about and are expected to conduct a fundraiser for the group. Maddie has chosen to fundraise on behalf of the Ohio 4-H program with a goal of recieving a donation from all 50 U.S. States. All donations made to Maddie’s fundraiser will go to the Ohio 4-H Foundation Fund. This fund supports Ohio 4-H Youth Development programming efforts and goes toward supporting 4-H members participating in conferences, camps, and other activities. Fundraising is open from Monday, September 20th to Monday, October 11th.  If you are interested in donating to Maddie’s fundraiser, please follow the link https://buckeyefunder.osu.edu/project/27133

Bliss selected as National Teach Ag Ambassador

Maryellen Bliss, a senior studying agriscience education, has been selected to serve as a National Teach Ag Ambassador with the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE).

As an ambassador, Bliss will communicate with a variety of audiences to recruit future agriculture teachers and spread the Teach Ag message. She will travel to the National FFA Convention and participate in virtual seminars, while receiving customized training and lessons to use at local, university and state levels.

Congratulations Maryellen!

Hamilton to serve as social chair for CFAES Student Council

Arica Hamilton, a junior studying agricultural communication, will serve as social chair of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences’ Student Council for the 2021-2022 academic year.

As social chair, Hamilton will preside over the social committee and the organization of the CFAES ice skating social, CFAES Olympics and other socials for students within the college.

Roth to serve as treasurer for CFAES Student Council

Matthew Roth, a junior studying agriscience education, will serve as treasurer of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences’ Student Council for the 2021-2022 academic year.

As treasurer, Roth will be responsible for keeping accurate record of receipts and disbursements of Council funds, pay all of Council’s bills and prepare an annual budget. He will also be responsible for the management of the Farm Science Review refreshment stands and serve as chair of the fundraising committee.

ACEL Distinguished Senior: Kolt Buchenroth

Kolt Buchenroth is a senior studying agricultural communication with a minor in agribusiness. Originally from Kenton, Ohio, Kolt is a graduate of Kenton High School. He is one of 14 seniors from the the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership to be named an ACEL Distinguished Senior.

Why did you choose your major?
I had just started at WKTN when I met Joel Penhorwood and Dr. Buck at the Ohio FFA State Convention. I knew I liked radio and I wanted to make that my career but related it back to agriculture. Joel was graduating that year and raved about his experience as a Buckeye. When I learned I could get a degree in two of my passions, it was all over. I was dead set on agricultural communication.

Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
I’ve wanted to attend Ohio State as long as I can remember. I don’t want to say that was the only option — because it wasn’t. I spent my early days cheering on the Buckeyes, attending Skull Sessions, and even the occasional football game. After I got older and decided I wanted to stay in agriculture and had discovered radio, Ohio State was the clear choice for me.

What classes did you enjoy the most?
This is a hard one. Dr. Buck’s spring break photography trip was such a great experience. Dr. Specht’s 4130 class taught me so much about design. Tom Stewart’s classes are always fun yet informative. Dr. Whittington’s cultural proficiency class expanded my horizon and forced me out of my comfort zone. I have also enjoyed classes in other departments like Bethany Barker’s COMM 2221 Journalism class, Paul Peloquin’s fundamentals of radio and TV production class with WOSU, and Dave Fisher’s Buckeye TV classes were all challenging, but a lot of fun too. The AgriNaturalist production course is also a BLAST!

Spring break photography trip in Nashville, Tennessee

Taking photos on the spring break photography trip.

What student organizations have you been a member of as a student?
I was the vice president of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, director of public relations and communications for FarmHouse-ATZ Fraternity, a member of Collegiate Farm Bureau, and the editor-in-chief of the AgriNaturalist Magazine.

With fraternity brother Chris Young.

What internships did you complete and how did they help you decide what you did or did not want to do after graduation?
As mentioned, it was pretty clear I wanted to be a farm broadcaster. My time at WKTN as the agriculture news director showed me station life. While farm news was my title, I did a little bit of everything. It gave me an appreciation for local journalists and now our affiliate radio stations and how they operate. I learned the tricks of the trade too. I’ll always be thankful for my friends at WKTN that gave me my start and taught me what I know.

Interning at Ohio Ag Net was a natural fit. There is no turning back now, but that gave me the real dose of what it was like to work for a statewide radio network.

What stands out as your best college memory?
This is easily joining FarmHouse Fraternity. Ohio State is a big place, especially when you come here from Small Town, USA. FarmHouse gave me fraternity brothers all in the same boat. We’re all from our different corners of the state — or the country — and we’re all trying to figure life out in the city. It’s a support system and a group of friends. We’re a family. The only thing I would’ve done differently is rushed sooner!

Why should someone else consider your major at Ohio State?
Why WOULDN’T you attend Ohio State? We have expert faculty in a highly regarded and recognized program.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
I am excited to continue my role at Ohio Ag Net and Ohio’s Country Journal after I graduate.

ACEL Distinguished Senior: Allyson McCurdy

Ally McCurdy is a senior studying community leadership with a specialization in community and extension eduction and a double major human development and family science. She is originally from Marion, Ohio and is a graduate of Pleasant High School. She is one of 14 students to be named an ACEL Distinguished Senior for 2021.

 

Why did you choose your major?
I choose my major in community leadership due to my own career aspirations as well as knowing that I would get the individualized education in my major and department. I would not simply be a number in a classroom. 

Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
I actually committed to attending Ohio State before I toured campus during my senior year. I want to work as an extension agent within 4-H so why would I choose somewhere else when I can learn from the best in extension education at Ohio State

What classes did you enjoy the most?
I enjoyed many of my classes within my major including program development and evaluation with Dr. Sheer and statistics with Dr. Bowling. These were both amazing classes with amazing professors who were there for you when you needed it.

Tell us about the organizations you were involved with as a student.
Alpha Sigma Upsilon was an incredibly important part of my time at Ohio State. I have been the scholarship chair, fundraising chair and then the treasurer within this organization. 

What internships did you complete and how did they help you decide what you did or did not want to do after graduation?
I did an internship with Hardin County Extension the summer after my freshman year and I did learn that I wanted to be an extension educator but also that I really enjoy the family consumer science side as well as 4-H.

What stands out as your best college memory?
I am really not sure what would be my best. There are so many, ranging from riding scooters around campus to meeting one of my best friends. There are so so many memories that I will always cherish.

Why should someone else consider your major at Ohio State?
There are so many reasons why someone should consider community leadership at Ohio State. This is a great department and major with some of the best professors who are truly there to help you achieve your goals.

ACEL Distinguished Senior: Brenna Loxley

Brenna Loxley is a senior studying agriscience education with a minor in production agriculture. Originally from Arcanum, Ohio, Brenna is a graduate of Arcanum High School. She is one of 14 seniors from the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership to be selected as an ACEL Distinguished Seniors.

Why did you choose your major?
I chose my major because I knew I wanted to be involved in agriculture but I also really enjoy working with youth and knew the opportunities agricultural programs offered.

Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
Coming from a family of die-hard Buckeyes, I knew I should at least consider Ohio State. I came to visit my brother during his time on campus and knew that this would be the place for me.

What classes did you enjoy the most?
I really loved my teaching methods and community leadership courses, as well as the military history course I took for a general education credit.

What student organizations have you been involved in as a student?
Agriculture Education Society (recruitment chair and vice-president)
Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority (Founder’s Day chair)

 

 

 

 

 

What internships and field experience did you complete?
I was a field scout for Harvestland Co-op, a GrownNextGen ambassador (Ohio Soybean Association), and then an Urban Farm Camp Counselor at Sunbury Urban Farm.

Being a field scout got me super interested in agronomy and now it is something I enjoy even more teaching students. Being a GNG ambassador and working as a camp counselor just reassured me that educating others was something I loved to do!

What stands out as your best college memory?
The last night I was in Nicaragua on the first-year student education abroad program, we as a class got pizza at the hotel. Just sitting there and reflecting on our trip after finishing our first semester of college was such a turning point for me in my college career. I knew then that Ohio State was home and that I had many great opportunities ahead of me.

Why should someone else consider your major at Ohio State?
It’s perfect for people who don’t only want to teach in schools, but if you really care about educating the public about agriculture. There are so many components of the major and we truly get experience in all aspects, not only teaching in schools.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
I plan to either attend grad school to earn my master’s degree in agricultural education or jump straight into teaching!

 

ACEL Distinguished Senior: Kayla Ritter

Kayla Ritter is a senior studying community leadership with a specialization in leadership. Originally from Brookville, Ohio, Kayla is a graduate of Troy Christian High School. She is one of 14 seniors from the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership to be selected as an ACEL Distinguished Seniors.

Why did you choose your major?
I knew I wanted to serve the community in a ministry capacity, but I did not know how to do that at a college that didn’t offer that major. Community leadership was a perfect major to help equip me to pursue this in the future while learning about non-profits and how they work. As well, I grew up in agriculture and knew I wanted to be a CFAES student, so this was a perfect place for me!

Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
I grew up as a Buckeye and had always dreamed of being an Ohio State student. I originally was on a pre-vet track but changed to pursue ministry. Even though this change could have pushed me in a different direction, I felt sure that I wanted to continue with my plan to attend Ohio State.

What classes did you enjoy the most?
My favorite classes were those that pertained to learning leadership styles and contexts. Specifically, I really enjoyed Team Leadership and Organization with Greg Davis and Introduction to Leadership with Dr. N-G!

What student organizations were you involved in as a student?
Co-leader and vice president of Delight Ministries at Ohio State and a CFAES Study Abroad Ambassador

Share about your internships.
I interned in Costa Rica for the summer of 2019, where I worked with a mission’s pastor to provide support for their ministry. This internship confirmed for me that I wanted to work in ministry, but also showed me that I want to work within the context of the United States, at least for the time being.

What stands out as your best college memory?
I studied abroad in May of 2019 to Australia, where we learned about human impacts on the environment and got to travel up the coast to see different ecological areas.

Why should someone else consider your major at Ohio State?
This major is extremely versatile, allowing you to learn a variety of skills that would be useful in both nonprofit and for-profit businesses. I really enjoyed the diverse backgrounds of the staff and all the experiences they brought to the classroom, as well as the diverse paths the students plan to take after graduation.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
I have accepted the position of Regional Director in Austin, TX with Delight Ministries.

ACEL Distinguished Senior: Deja Reid

Deja Reid is a senior studying community leadership with a specialization in community and extension education. From Columbus, Ohio, Deja is a graduate of Columbus Alternative High School. She is one of 14 seniors from the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership to be selected as an ACEL Distinguished Seniors.

Why did you choose your major?
I chose community leadership as my major because I was very interested in the idea of education for kids outside of the classroom. My experience in the Homework Help Center at the Columbus Metropolitan Library showed me how much I appreciated being in an environment where kids sought help with their homework and where the community stepped in to help. I saw community leadership as a way to bring together my passions of education, working with youth, and my community.

Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
Ohio State was my ultimate choice for college because of the vast opportunities I saw for myself here. I did not have a major at the time I enrolled, so I wanted a university that had as many majors as possible. I also wanted to feel comfortable and supported as a Black student, so the Multicultural Center and Office of Diversity and Inclusion were big draws for me.

What classes did you enjoy the most?
The classes I enjoyed the most were elective general education courses. I took a R&B and Hip-Hop course that was taught by Dr. Ted McDaniel. I also enjoyed my Intro to Sociology course with Dr. Eric Schoon and the Making America Modern history course with Dr. Bart Elmore.

What student organizations have you been involved in as a student?
I started freshman year in the Mount Leadership Society scholars program and have been involved with that all four years. I was a committee member in the wellness and activities committee, then during my second year, I co-chaired the leadership and training committee where we developed and executed leadership events for the students in the program. I also have been a Diversity Ambassador (DA) in Undergraduate Admissions since my freshman year. As DAs, we engage with high school students who are in underrepresented groups here on campus. We share about the university, help with applications, and field any questions about being a student at Ohio State.

What internships did you complete and how did they help you decide what you did or did not want to do after graduation?
I’ve had two internships during my college time. The first was during the summer before my junior year at New Haven Reads in New Haven, CT. This internship was my first experience seeing behind the scenes of a nonprofit going. This time was great for me because it gave me more experience working with kids in a non-school setting which is what I aspire to do. During this time, I created lessons and taught mini classes in math and drama. It was a great experience for me to hone skills in lesson planning and leading groups of children.

My current internship is with Junior Achievement of Central Ohio on the Marketing and Development team. Before beginning this internship, I had little experience in marketing and had no idea what development even was. Now, I know that marketing and communications is probably not for me, but I could see myself involved in development in a nonprofit.

What stands out as your best college memory?
My best college memories are from the large campus events. The first one that comes to mind is the Multicultural Center Family Affair cookout during Ohio State’s Welcome Week. It was always a great time to visit student organization tables, eat good food, and fellowship with the Black OSU community. Of course, attending football games as a student will always be a great memory. I was able to watch the 2019 Homecoming game from the President’s Box and got to meet President Drake and Brutus!

Why should someone else consider your major at Ohio State?
Community leadership is a great major that can translate to many lines of work. While most people with my major plan to work in extension or 4-H, I plan to go into nonprofit work. The major offers courses that are useful for many career paths and it also time to add minors that can enhance the major coursework.