Name:  Jessica Schmitt

Hometown:  Fort Atkinson, Iowa

Major(s) and Graduation Date:  Dairy Science, Agricultural Communication and International Agriculture - May 2022

Favorite ISU class:  My favorite class at Iowa State was Animal Science 337: Lactation with Dr. Timms. The course was super informative and eye-opening as we learned about the root of all dairy products and the different factors that impact milk production.  We also explored the lactation of various mammalian species, so now I hold a lot of fun facts. 

Job Title & Company:  Integrated Communications Coordinator at Dairy West

Name: Natalie McMillan 

Hometown: Aurora, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Culinary Food Science, May 2021

Favorite ISU Class:  FSHN 214 Scientific Study of Food

Job Title & Company:  Foodservice Territory Manager, Hormel Foods 

Name: Claire Campbell Kettle 

Hometown: DeWitt, Iowa 

Major and Graduation Date: Biology, May 2020 

Favorite ISU Class: My favorite course at Iowa State University was PHIL 331:  Moral Problems in Medicine with Dr. Kupfer.  This course challenged the way I view everyday issues, helped me develop a system to make difficult decisions, and taught me the importance in diversity of thought. 

Job Title & Company: Dental Student at University of Iowa, College of Dentistry (Class of 2025) 

Name:  Nichole Wilson

Hometown:  Janesville, WI

Major and Graduation Date:  Animal Science, May 2018; currently pursuing MBA at LSU.

Favorite ISU class:  ANS 352 Genetics - I loved Dr. Bundy and I use this class in my career.  I also loved my study abroad with Dr. Sterle studying heritage livestock breeds in the UK. These two courses are key in my memories of ISU.

Job Title & Company:  Key Account Manager, PIC.  I'm based out of Ankeny, IA

Name: Chase Olsen

Hometown: North Sioux City, SD

Major and Graduation Date: Animal Ecology, May 2022

Favorite ISU Class: Either HON 324A: Romance Novels as Tools for Justice or BIOL 456: Principles of Mycology, but honestly I enjoyed almost every course I took at ISU!

Job Title & Company: Student Services Specialist, NREM Department, Iowa State University

Name: Anne Dinges. 

Hometown: Byron, IL but I’ve lived in Des Moines, IA for the last 4 years.

Major and Graduation Date:  Agronomy and Global Resource Systems, May 2019

Favorite ISU Class: Mary Wiedenhoft’s agroecosystems field course. We spent a week in northwest Iowa visiting a diverse set of farms and thinking critically about the intersection of farm business and stewardship. 

Job Title & Company:  Global Regenerative Agriculture Manager, Griffith Foods

Name: Jacob Looney 

Hometown: Wheatland, IA

Major and Graduation Date: Agricultural Systems Technology, May 2022

Favorite ISU Class: TSM 210: Fundamentals of Technology or TSM 433: Precision Agriculture

Job Title and Company: Engineering Technician for John Deere Global Crop Harvesting Product Development Center (GCHPDC)

Name:  Jamie Schechinger

Hometown:  Westphalia, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Agricultural Studies, Minors in Agronomy and Business, May 2020 

Favorite ISU class:  Econ 336 (Sales) with Dr. Ron Deiter 

Job Title & Company: – Sales Agronomist, Yara North America 

Major Job/Position Responsibilities:  Yara is one of the top fertilizer manufacturers in the world. They lead the world in crop nutrition and work towards a nature positive food future every day.

Name:  Rachel Zumbach

Hometown:  Coggon, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Agricultural and Life Sciences Education – Communications Option & International Agriculture, May 2021

Favorite ISU Class:  My favorite class at Iowa State was Leadership Styles and Strategies in a Diverse Society (LD ST 322) with Dr. Tara Widner.  This class taught me a lot about myself and the ins and outs of working with others from all backgrounds who may have differing perspectives on life and work.  It allowed me to really dive into the ethics of leadership and what that looks like for different cultures and people across the globe.

Job Title & Company:  Public Relations Manager, Iowa Corn

Name:  Reid and Reese Drenth

Hometown:  Decorah, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Agricultural Business, May 2019

Favorite ISU Class:

Reese: My favorite class at Iowa State was Economics of Discrimination taught by Dr. Peter Orazem. From the job market to the marriage market, Dr. Orazem provided an insightful and entertaining look into how discrimination impacts market participants all around the world.

Name:  Claire Dupuis

Hometown:  Ames, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Agriculture & Society and English, May 2020

Favorite ISU class:  Women in Agriculture and the Food System, taught by Dr. Carmen Bain, was a favorite class of mine. Dr. Bain is an enthusiastic professor who shares a wealth of knowledge from her research in the areas of agriculture, food systems, and gender.  I found the guest speakers, presentations, and class discussions to be very engaging.  Taking this course led to the valuable opportunity for me to work as a TA for Dr. Bain the following year.

Name: Erin Healy

Hometown:  West Des Moines, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Microbiology, Spring 2019

Name:  Matthew Hart

Hometown:  Carol Stream, Illinois

Major and Graduation Date:  Industrial Technology Option: Manufacturing with a minor in Business, Fall 2019

Favorite ISU class:  TSM 240: Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing and Metals Processing.  I enjoyed studying several types of manufacturing processes and being able to operate metal lathe machines in the lab.  During the semester, our class had the opportunity to attend the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago which is a trade show showing off all the latest technology in the manufacturing industry.  This showed me the endless possibilities of what the industry offers and how fast changing it is.

Name:  Jacob Lehmkuhl

Hometown:  Clinton, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Horticulture, August 2018

Favorite ISU Class:  I really enjoyed the Horticulture classes that incorporated hands-on learning in the field.  Being able to step outside the classroom and implement the curriculum in the landscape helped shape my skills and knowledge to be applied in future applications.  From identifying plants, to diagnosing pests, designing new landscapes, assessing construction projects, testing equipment, or researching new technologies, there was always something different and exciting to learn.

Job Title & Employer:  Horticulturist of Landscape Development, Augusta National Golf Club

Name: Caryn Dawson

Hometown: Manson, IA

Major and graduation date: Global Resource Systems and Horticulture (Minors: Animal Science, Spanish), May 2021

Name:  Emily Franciskato

Hometown:  Lee’s Summit, MO

Major and graduation date:  Genetics, minor in Psychology, May 2020

Favorite ISU class:  My favorite class at ISU was Genetics 409 with Dr. Rodermel.  It was a small class with great discussion about genetics topics ranging from early beliefs about inheritance to testing technologies we use today. The genetics courses at Iowa State set me up for success for my didactic training in my genetic counseling graduate program.

Job Title & Company:  Reproductive Genetic Counselor and Assistant in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Name:  Michael Parker

Hometown:  Dike, IA

Major and Graduation Date:  Forestry, December 2018

Favorite ISU Class:  While not a single class, I would say the 200 series during my sophomore year.  The 200 series is an entire semester of classes that all 2nd-year forestry students take during the fall.  It creates a sound foundation of forestry knowledge and skills that help prepare you moving forward with your education and career.  The series includes a three-week field course located in a varying region of the country each year—my class went to the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center near Andalusia, Alabama.

Job Title & Company:  Smokejumper, United States Forest Service

Name:  Sonia Carrola

Hometown:   Madison, WI

Major and Graduation Date: Food Science, May 2019

Favorite ISU class:  FSHN 411: Food Ingredient Interactions and Formulations.  I enjoyed learning about the functions specific ingredients have in finished product applications.  These concepts were demonstrated by making food products with slightly different formulations and comparing the differences between the final products.  I really liked that this class was highly applied.

Name:  Theresa Brehm

Hometown:  Durango, IA

Major and Graduation Date:  Global Resource Systems and Environmental Science, with a minor in Agronomy, May 2020

Favorite ISU class:  AGRON 497: Agroecology Field Course.  I loved getting to visit so many different agricultural areas in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.  I learned directly from farmers how they are implementing different conservation practices and dedicating themselves and their families to working with the natural environment, rather than against it, to build a better agricultural future for the world.

Name:  Alyssa Dougherty

Hometown:  Epworth, IA

Major and Graduation Date:  Dietetics and Global Resource Systems, May 2020

Favorite ISU class:  My favorite ISU class was Globe 321 with Catherine Swoboda and Shelley Taylor.  My classmates and I had just returned from our summer-long international internships, and everyone had a unique learning experience from a different corner of the world to share.  I enjoyed learning from them and reflecting more upon my own personal growth from a 9-week internship in India with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.