CAFNR reps bring Mizzou to You!
By Erin Meyers, posted 3/27/06

With warm smiles and enthusiastic attitudes, CAFNR students and staff greeted parents, future students and alumni at the College’s “Mizzou To You!” event Thursday, March 9, in Chillicothe, Mo. 

Tables decorated with black and gold cloth napkins and Truman the Tiger centerpieces sat at the core of the room, while music from Marching Mizzou filled the banquet hall.

Despite the chilly, rainy weather, roughly 40 invited parents, students and alumni arrived to the event, conversing with other attendees and CAFNR representatives. 

Mizzou to You brought CAFNR students, faculty and administrators together with prospective students, family and alums in the Chillicothe area on March 9.

According to Ken Schneeberger, CAFNR assistant dean of special programs, the turnout of prospective students has been high, a reinforcement that students feel that they are important.

“Just this whole 'we care' attitude has paid off for us. There aren’t as many prospective students in rural areas and we have to work harder,” he said.

The CAFNR Student Development Board and CAFNR Ambassadors were on hand as student representatives. Sarah Jackson, a freshman agricultural journalism major and student development board member, said that she believes the College offers incoming students something different from the normal university projection.

“They provide a different flavor of what MU is about,” Jackson said. 

According to Kristen Smarr, director of external relations, Chillicothe is home to a large number of MU alumni, which became a large factor in deciding where to hold the event. 

Loren D. Thompson, a 1957 MU graduate with a degree in agricultural education, said he appreciated and understood the need for events that include alumni. 

“It’s the best university in Missouri; why not promote it,” Thompson said.

The annual event, according to CeCe Leslie, coordinator for student recruitment, is a high priority of Dean Payne.

“He’s very supportive of reaching out to the students and alums,” Leslie said.

Fall 2006 freshman Nathan Scheiderer, of Salsbury, Mo., said he believed the events held by CAFNR are effective in welcoming students.

“Preview Mizzou was a big seller. A lot of my classmates made up their minds that day,” Scheiderer said.

Along with good conversation, a buffet-style dinner was provided, with selections including carved ham, fruit and vegetable trays, deli sandwiches and homemade cookies. 

Dean Payne ended the event with a short presentation acknowledging the current status of CAFNR and the role the College plays within the university. 

“Life Sciences are so important on our campus and it’s so important that our students are aware of life sciences,” Dean Payne said.

He also recognized the importance of continuing events to reach out to not only prospective students, but also Missouri residents as a whole.

“We owe it to the state to show them what we are. It’s a state university. We need to go out to show it’s a good investment,” Dean Payne said. 

> Back to Corner Post Home