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For the students, by the students News Story Index (full stories below): CAFNR scholarship deadline February 1 - By Shawn Davis Ag Unlimited scheduled for February 1 - By Alice Roach CAFNR study abroad fair to be held February 2 and 3 - By Katie Allen Agricultural Systems Management Club Goes to Costa Rica - By Justin Otto MU reflects on the tsunami disaster - By Cat Vaughn New web program opens doors for students - By Nicky Fraizer Patience is key to good semester - By Kathryn Poletti
CAFNR
scholarship deadline February 1 Every year thousands of students apply for scholarships to fulfill that need, and this year is not different for students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. “We have the largest scholarship program on campus,” said Executive Staff Assistant Donna Vaught. “And when 51 percent of students receive grants, you can tell that the program is pretty good.” What many students do not realize is that scholarships are not based primarily on academics, which is why many students are apprehensive about turning in applications. “Just because a student doesn’t have a 4.0 or 3.0 GPA, doesn’t mean that they are not eligible for scholarships,” Vaught said. “We give scholarships for a lot of things, If you’re from a certain county you could be eligible. There are over 150 unrestricted scholarship accounts.” Vaught, who oversees all scholarship applications that come into CAFNR, has seen over 488 applications turned in for the 2005-06 calendar year. Last year 730 total applications were turned in to Vaught. “I expect the next two weeks to be very busy for me,” Vaught said. “My desk will be bombarded with a lot more applications.” With the deadline quickly approaching many CAFNR staff members have been pushed to inform students about the scholarship opportunities because there seems to be an opportunity for almost everyone. Last year the average student that qualified for grants received $1,038. But despite that amount of money up for grabs, the amount of applications turned in is quite low. “Only about 36 percent of Ag students fill out application forms,” Vaught said. “We’ve been urging professors to tell their students about the deadline in class.” Last year approximately $452,000 was given to continuing agricultural students. Vaught expects the numbers to be very similar this year. Students should make sure to submit their applications before February 1. > Back to top.
Ag
Unlimited scheduled for February 1 The evening will include dinner with a silent and live auction at the Holiday Inn Select Expo Center in Columbia, Mo. Carol Hein, a 1991 agricultural journalism major, served as the chair of the Ag Unlimited committee this year. Hein is looking forward to “seeing a year’s worth of labor and hard work come together.” The committee expects to see close to 500 alums and CAFNR supporters at the function to assist in raising money for scholarships and educational enhancements. Money is raised through auctioning off several high-ticket items. Some of the items being auctioned off this year include a cruise, airline tickets, basketball tickets, signed football and basketball memorabilia, a dinner train excursion and advertising packages. The committee set a goal of raising $36,000 from this year’s event. Since the inception of Ag Unlimited, the event has raised more than $236,000 for CAFNR students. Hein believes the purpose of the event is to reach out and help current and prospective CAFNR students. “The purpose is to raise funds for scholarships and teaching improvements,” Hein said. “Another benefit forpeople is seeing fellow classmates and friends and reminiscing about our time at Mizzou.” In addition to Ag Unlimited, the CAFNR Alumni Association held an EBay auction in the fall and collected over $1,000 from merchandise to benefit the scholarship fund and to continue purchasing teaching improvements. > Back to top.
CAFNR
study abroad fair to be held February 2 and 3 Participants who attend the fair can speak with students who have studied abroad, ask questions about the programs and pick up program brochures. Those interested in CAFNR study abroad are also welcome to attend information sessions about their program of interest in the coming weeks. An information session for the Costa Rica program will be held February 9. A session for the European programs will be held February 10. Both sessions will take place in the Agriculture Building, room 2-16 at 5:30 p.m. Although students may find the fair and information sessions helpful in finding answers for the programs, CAFNR International Studies Program Director Roy Robinson believes talking with students who have participated in the programs will help the potential study abroad students learn the most about each experience. Robinson also advises the students to make an appointment with him to discuss their interests in the programs. “The more they know (about the study abroad program), the more they will get out of the experience,” Robinson said. Jon McRoberts, a senior Fisheries and Wildlife major at MU, got the most out of his South Africa semester and Thailand summer study abroad programs by reading as much as he could about the destinations prior to studying there. “The more knowledge you have about a country before you get there, the better the opportunity to build on this knowledge,” McRoberts said. In addition to the South Africa semester and Thailand summer programs, CAFNR offers other semester programs in Costa Rica and the United Kingdom and summer programs in Costa Rica, France, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic. There is also a winter break program in Thailand. The CAFNR International Studies Department is currently working on a new winter break program in New Zealand. Right now, the most popular study abroad destination is Costa Rica. Students have strong chances to take part in the program of their choosing. While the summer and short-term programs are more popular than the semester programs, Robinson would like more students to take advantage of the semester programs. “They (semester programs) provide more opportunities for students to interact with local people and experience the local culture,” Robinson said. Matt Stuever, a junior Agriculture Business major at MU, said the greatest benefit he received from studying abroad in France was learning about a different culture and comparing it to the American culture. “Meeting the people of France and also the people from various American universities was perhaps one of the best aspects of the whole trip,” Stuever said. “I still keep in touch with my group leaders from France and someday wish to see them again.” Robinson said that not only are the study abroad experiences fun for the students, they allow students to try new things, make new friends, discover another country and culture, acquire language skills, expand their understanding of the United States, get to know themselves more and bring the classroom to life while studying in amazing places. Robinson has also found that many employers want students with international experience. McRoberts agrees that studying abroad is essential for any student considering an internationally-based profession. “I have seen the benefits firsthand and feel it (studying abroad) is a valuable part of my resume,” he said. Students wanting to add a study abroad experience to their resumes need to plan ahead academically for the venture. Robinson said that the credit students receive for work completed during a study abroad will help them towards graduation and when looking for a job. Knowing this, students should not wait too long to decide whether or not to study abroad. “Junior year seems to have developed into a standard (for studying abroad),” McRoberts said, “but going earlier is a good idea. This way, you will have the chance to build on the study abroad trip as your college experience progresses.” Jared VerDught, senior Agricultural Systems Management and Agricultural Economics major at MU, said that his study abroad experience in the Czech Republic gave him a global perspective and allowed him to think more objectively. He said that his experience enforced his desire to work in agriculture after college. Robinson wants students interested in studying abroad to know that the programs are as cost-effective as possible, and loans and scholarships can also help cover the financial aspects of the trip. CAFNR students
can find out more about trip funding, the study abroad programs, student
insights and other general information on the CAFNR
study abroad Web site. The online application for study abroad can
also be filled out and submitted on the Web site. The deadline to apply
for the Summer and Fall 2005 programs is March 1, 2005. > Back to top.
Agricultural
Systems Management Club Goes to Costa Rica “It’s hard for me to pick my favorite moment of the trip because the entire thing was just amazing,” Amanda Walker, an ASM student from MU, said. During the 14 day visit, the students got to visit dairy farms, beef farms, a volcano and the rainforest. Matt Beach, who also enjoyed the trip, said it made him appreciate what he had at home. “It’s just a different way of life in Costa Rica,” Beach said. “We’re just so much more mechanized in the United States. Everyone in Costa Rica used hand labor to pick the crops because it’s so cheap.” According to Beach, the main crops were coffee beans, corn, pineapple and some sugar cane. The trip was organized through the Monte Verde Institute in Costa Rico. The Monte Verde Institute has worked with MU before by sponsoring a study abroad program for Forestry, Tourism and Rural Sociology. The ASM club took Spanish classes to help them with the native language and culture. Even with the classes, Beach said he had a little trouble communicating. “The language barrier was a bit of a problem, but we had a great translator to help us during the trip,” Beach said. The students also took a class in Agro Forest Restoration. The lecture showed the group how the rain forest was being revitalized in Costa Rica. The students got to experience the rainforest first hand by participating in a program called Sky Track. By using cables and pulleys the students were able to use a harness to slide through the canopy, “It was a neat experience because it gave us a totally different perspective,” said Walker. Walker also got a very different view of housing. Walker said that for a few nights the club stayed in a cabin in the rainforest. Walker said there weren’t screens in the doors or windows.. “No animals came in but if they had wanted to, there was nothing stopping them.” Sandy Zaring, Administrative Assistant in ASM and chaperone, also commented on the cabins. “The hotel was open air, which means there weren’t any screens, doors or insulation,” Zaring said. Zaring, thought of as a second Mom by the students, said they were very well behaved on the trip. The students also went white water rafting while in Costa Rica. The ASM club has also taken trips to Brazil and Germany. This spring the club will visit Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Next winter the club hopes to go to Mexico. > Back to top.
MU
reflects on the tsunami disaster The service was sponsored by the International Center in conjunction with the Chancellor’s office. An estimated 220,000 people have died from the tsunami. The nations of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and Malaysia were devastated from this unexpected natural disaster. Exchange students representing each affected country were invited to speak at the service. Professors and students, in addition to the speakers, still grieve over the destruction of the nations. The International Center held an understanding support group January 24. The center provided counselors for the mourners to talk to. “Counseling services have been offered free of any charges,” said Mary Jo Banken, the director of News Services for the campus. The International Center also has walk-in hours throughout the week to accommodate new exchange students or students who need to talk about the disaster. “We recognize that the recovery effort is long term, not short term; and I encourage faculty, staff and students to explore long term opportunities to contribute to recovery efforts through program, research andservice efforts,” said Chancellor Deaton. The University of Missouri-Columbia also has two sister schools in Thailand. Prince of Songkla University and King Mongkut’s University of Technology reported no damage, yet the emotional battle still wages on around the country. Chancellor Deaton confirmed that he had contacted the presidents of the sister universities overseas. MU is sending help to those in the disaster zone. Dr. Syed Arshad Husain is the chief of child and adolescent psychiatry. He is founder and director of MU International Center for Psychosocial Trauma. Dr. Husain will visit Asia in the near future to work with the children affected by the tsunami. “Let us never forget that the world is a very small place when it comes to concern for our fellow human beings,” said Chancellor Deaton. Each memorial service and counseling session brings the university together to console the affected members of the MU family. > Back to top.
New
web program opens doors for students The program is exclusively for CAFNR students. The program will allow CAFNR students to search for jobs and internships from anywhere. The jobs posted will be password protected, which will make it possible for employers to post exclusively for CAFNR students. The program also allows CAFNR graduates to register for a fee of $40. The program, which took several months to pull together, has been open for one week. It already has 119 students registered with more stuents posting daily. One feature the program offers is the ability of students and employers to interact directly without interference from career services. Career services hopes that this won’t discourage students from dropping by for advice and assistance. “We don’t want to replace the high-touch interaction with high-tech,” said Stephanie Chipman, CAFNR Career Services Director. The career services office has a timeline set for the program to get it up and running smoothly. Staff involved with developing the program hope to register 500 students with the program during February. With a strong collection of students, career services will use March and April to get the word out to employers. By using the slogan “Put a tiger on your team,” career services will promote the use of the database for reaching MU students exclusively. Promotional tools such as pamphlets and flyers will be provided at certain conventions and conferences. Career services will also use the program to send out email notifications on employers or career-oriented events visiting MU . “We are going to do our best to post every event that we think will be a benefit to CAFNR students to help them plan and develop their career,” Chipman said. The web program already had 63 jobs posted and 10 on-campus interviews scheduled, all within the pastweek. If you would like to register with the new program, visit www.myinterfase.com/mucafnr/student. Visit career services at http://cafnr.missouri.edu/Students/CareerServices/ or in 2-64 in the Agriculture building. > Back to top.
Patience
is key to good semester As the semester progresses, classes will become tougher and we will no longer be able to enjoy as much fun. My advice for all of you is patience. Whether you are working with others, studying or just in general, always remember to keep your cool and have patience. This will always take you far and keep you out of sticky situations. This advice stems from an experience I encountered Wednesday, January 26. It had been a good day on campus, and I was ready to do my part for the community by helping at a local soup kitchen in Columbia, Mo. There were six of us going from my local church to serve food to anyone who walked through the door at the soup kitchen. Our first problem occurred when we got there late. We were greeted at the soup kitchen by a small army of heavily clothed men who were ready to come into the warmth of the building and eat. Wait a second; they were more likely ready to aggravate us to no end because we wouldn’t allow them to come in right away. From the moment we arrived until we allowed the first person in, they banged on the door, scratched at the windows and called through the night to let them in, they were cold. This is a very eerie situation and when people behave like this in a run down neighborhood in Columbia, one is bound to not be comfortable. Our problems did not stop there. The food we brought was frozen and had to be thawed before it would cook. Just for the record, I hate frozen hot dogs and hope that I never have to cook them at a soup kitchen again. Finally, a little after 5 p.m. we let them in. They clamored into the small space that was the dining area and complained about how cold they were. Now this would have been a good time for someone who had already lost their cool to go out into the dinning room and give those people a piece of their mind. How dare they be ungrateful! But patience prevailed for the six volunteers, and we quickly started to disperse the food that we had cooked. About a half an hour into the meal, a young woman who looked like a student but was enjoying a free meal that my group was providing, entered the kitchen area and started to give us a piece of her mind. She yelled at us for allowing our dinner guests to stand in the cold while we were in the warm building cooking food. She said it was ridiculous and unjust to make them stand in the cold when they spend most of their time outside. She continued to accuse and assume that we didn’t know what it was like to be constantly cold. She went on and on about the injustices we had committed while loud clapping and encouragement came from the dinning room. I was doing dishes while this happened and it took all of my resolve not to yell back at her. I knew it was a bad idea to start an argument in my current situation. I had no idea if there were weapons in the building, and I care more about my safety than putting someone in their place. So I stood there and listened and continued to scrap dishes. I could have complained about the injustice of having to wash the dirty dishes of fifty other people whom I didn’t even know. But who would have cared compared to the injustice of having to stand in the cold. After she left, many came back to apologize for that one woman’s speech. They really were grateful that we had come. This helped the situation and the night went on without another incident. I would like to point out that every person who complained about being cold, and there were many of them, did not stay the whole time we were open to enjoy the warmth of the dining room. If one must complain, complain when there is real reason to complain, not to speed up the process of getting inside a building to harass the people inside. When the evening was over, I went home. It was then that I vented a little. Venting will help your peace of mind. But I would like to suggest that if venting is necessary, wait until you can do it in private or with someone who was not involved with the event. Good luck with the semester and remember, patience is key. > Back to top. Notes
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2005 CAFNR Corner Post Stories
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