Not just another face on campus:
A closer look at CAFNR junior Megan Fox
By Taryn Dameron, posted 5/3/06

Megan Fox is one of the many students enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri whose passion and drive make her stand out as a natural leader among her peers. Fox, a junior agribusiness management major, is a natural at helping others and being a strong role model for her peers.  

“I don’t know why I do what I do. I see a need for something and just do it,” Fox said.           

During her years at Buchanan High School in Troy, Mo., Megan was president of both the FFA and FBLA chapters, as well as a member of the varsity softball team. In 2003, her FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development team became national champions.

Since arriving at MU, Megan hasn’t slowed down a bit. She is currently serving as president of CAFNR Student Council along with being involved in Kappa Delta Sorority, where she serves on the executive council, and the Agricultural Economics Club. Megan was recently tapped into Mizzou’s Mortar Board at the annual Tap Day ceremonies and was later named president of the Board. Megan has also served on the Agriculture Future of America’s student advisory team for the past two years, an honor shared by only 12 young adults nationwide. While being so active, Megan has also managed to make the Dean’s list every semester.

This summer Megan will be serving as an intern for Monsanto. She will work with grower outreach programs through youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA.

As for the not so near future, Megan plans to simply make a living at being herself.

“I plan to take advantage of all opportunities to become as successful as I can be, and to be happy,” Megan said. “I hope to use my strengths for working with people and organizing things.”

As president of Student Council, Megan sees herself as a mentor to other members as well as to the CAFNR student body. She strives to be an example for them to look to as well as someone they feel comfortable asking questions of. Still, not even Megan stands alone in her success. She gives a lot of the credit for her success to her family, friends and mentors.

“Dr. Spain has always supported me,” Megan said. “He has told me about good opportunities he comes across and things that he thinks I’d be good at as well as sharing his ideas with me.”

Jim Spain, assistant dean of academic programs, was the first advisor Megan met at Summer Welcome, and she later worked for him as a teacher’s assistant. 

Megan has also looked to her family and friends to help her through some tough times, such as the loss of her mom during Megan’s senior year of high school. 

“It was hard to deal with the loss my senior year being president of FFA and FBLA, but the community was really supportive,” Megan said. “Dr. Spain and my boyfriend believed in me my freshman year and really helped me through the transition to MU. I had such great support that I never got depressed or anything.”

Megan’s mom died Nov. 11, 2002, after a battle with breast cancer. She had previously beat cancer three times throughout her life. A registered nurse, Megan remembers her mom as a hard working woman who cared a lot about the community and marvels at how she was able to maintain her career while raising three young children.

“Losing my mom led me to become more involved in community service projects like Relay for Life,” Megan said. “I know what families go through and can be more understanding of their situations. I like helping those in need feel like someone cares.”

Megan recently donated 12 inches of her hair to Locks for Love. She had been growing her hair out since her mom passed away in hopes of making the donation someday.

Megan has a younger sister who is a freshman at St. Louis University and an older brother who is a recent graduate from ITT Tech.

“My brother and sister are huge supporters in my life,” Megan said. "They are there for everything and are always honest with me. They know me better than anyone and are my best friends whom I frequently look to for advice.”

One final person Megan gives credit is her dad.

“He may not understand all that goes on in my life, but it’s good to know he’s at home supporting me,” Megan said.

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