Agricultural Education Students Make History at UMC
Five seniors at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) are writing a new chapter in the college’s history. They are the first students ever to graduate from the University of Minnesota in agricultural education without attending the Twin Cities Campus. This is now possible through a joint program with the Twin Cities Campus of the U of M that allows students interested in agricultural education to complete the degree at either the Crookston Campus or the Twin Cities Campus.
This initiative is a part of a multi-faceted program to increase the number of agriculture teachers in the state. The Minnesota Legislature recognized the need for more licensed agriculture teachers and allocated funds to the University of Minnesota to provide the impetus to make the changes necessary to increase student numbers. The joint program between Crookston and the Twin Cities is a result.
Rita Schaefer, Ryan Perish, Angie Pommerening, Paul Detloff, and Kim Rankin (above, from left) have capitalized on this new opportunity. They are currently participating in their student teaching experience as members of the joint program. The students each have a unique reason for choosing to complete their education at UMC.
Angie Pommerening hails from Oakdale, Minnesota. She worked a few years after high school before deciding to continue her education. Even though she grew up in the Twin Cities area and attended a large metro high school, she preferred a smaller, rural setting for her college experience. Pommerening has served in a leadership position in many UMC organizations. She is currently student teaching at Frazee, Minnesota, and will graduate from UMC in May 2002.
Ryan Perish from Browerville, Minnesota, attended Ridgewater College in Willmar for two years before transferring to UMC. Perish was active in his high school FFA chapter and has received several academic honors during his career at UMC. He is currently student teaching in Mahnomen, Minnesota, and will complete his program of study in December 2002.
Rita Schaefer grew up on a dairy farm near Frazee, Minnesota. She was very active in her high school FFA chapter and earned many FFA awards. Schaefer knew from the start she wanted a career in agricultural education and was looking for a non-metropolitan area to attend college. She has served as a residential assistant for two years at UMC. Schaefer is currently student teaching at Staples-Motley High School and will graduate in May 2002.
Kim Rankin is an Illinois native who chose to attend UMC. The fact that UMC does not charge out-of-state tuition was an added attraction. She was very active in her Manito, Illinois, FFA chapter and has continued her student involvement in clubs at the college level. Rankin wanted to complete two degrees, animal industries management and agricultural education, and wanted to be close to relatives who live in northwest Minnesota. Rankin is student teaching at Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and will graduate from UMC in December 2002.
Paul Detloff of Bertha, Minnesota, wanted to prepare for a career in agricultural education at a NCAA Division II school that had a strong football program. UMC provided that opportunity. He served as captain of the UMC Golden Eagles Football Team this past fall, and he participated on the UMC Dairy Judging team this spring. Detloff is student teaching at Pelican Rapids and will complete his studies at UMC in May 2002.
Students majoring in agricultural education at UMC can choose either the agricultural science and technology emphasis or the natural and managed environmental emphasis. Graduates from the program can choose to teach at a secondary level, or they can teach adult farm management. Many agricultural education graduates also choose to enter an agriculture related business for a career.
The agricultural education program is one of many highly regarded degree programs in ag-related fields that can be obtained at UMC. Refer to the website www.umcrookston.edu/AgNatR for more information.
Posted 04/05/2002
Contact: Andrew Svec,
218-281-8435