Show-Me DASS // Spring 2021

SPRING 2021

Message from Joe Parcell

Dear Alumni,

The Mizzou campus is preparing for a post-pandemic pivot to the new normal. We have learned a lot. The most popular abbreviation in learning this academic year has been F2F, which stands for face-to-face. The new normal is likely to include classes and meetings offered simultaneously F2F and virtually to expand accessibility for all learners. For some employees, remote work has yielded additional work productivity and a schedule that better accommodates work/life balance. The Division of Applied Social Sciences is a leader in plotting a future course to adapt to social changes resulting from the pandemic.

Whether it be in the high school classroom, in the boardroom, on the farm, in the business, related to travel and tourism or around the kitchen table planning out personal finances, the persons of Applied Social Sciences are in search of best practices. I’m happy to welcome the alumni, students and faculty of Personal Financial Planning (PFP) to the Division effective July 1, 2021. Read more

Student Success

Paxton Dahmer was recently named the 2020-21 Central Region Vice President. He becomes the first national FFA officer from Missouri since 2007 and just the third since 2000. Photo courtesy of Paxton Dahmer.

Representing Missouri on the National Level

Paxton Dahmer selected as 2020-21 National FFA Officer Read more

Mizzou 18 and '39 honorees include CAFNR students

A Spirit of Service

CAFNR students honored as Mizzou 18 and '39 recipients Read more

Gaining a New Perspective

Abigail Turner has gained valuable insights through study abroad experiences Read more

In Brief

No-Ya Yu, master's student in agricultural and applied economics, won the "Three Minute Thesis" competition at the 2021 Southern Agricultural Economics Association meetings.

Allie Lock, senior in agribusiness management, placed in the final four of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Virtual Collegiate Discussion Meet recently. Lock won at the university and state levels before placing in the final four.

Ye-Jin Lee, doctoral student in food and hospitality systems, receives CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grant.

Austin Sanders, 2020 master's graduate in agricultural and applied economics, received the Distinguished Thesis Award as part of CAFNR's 2020 Celebration of Excellence.

Elizabeth Prentice, who completed her doctoral degree in rural sociology in summer 2020, received the Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award as part of CAFNR's 2020 Celebration of Excellence.

Beomjoo Kim, doctoral student in hospitality management, received the best paper award at the 88th TOSOK International Tourism Conference. The paper was co-authored by Dae-Young Kim, professor, hospitality management, who was also presented with the award.

Yanu Prasetyo, rural sociology doctoral candidate, received an Outstanding Student Contribution Award as part of the 2020 University of Missouri International Engagement Awards.

Faculty Spotlight

Hua Qin Wins National Excellence Award as Part of Research Team

This prestigious and highly competitive award recognizes scientists who conduct exemplary research and outreach efforts across multiple states and in doing so enhance the visibility of USDA multistate programs Read more

In Brief

Rebecca Mott, assistant extension professor, has been appointed to a three-year term on the North Central Region's Program Improvement Committee with the American Association for Agricultural Education.

Sarah Low, associate professor of regional economics, received the 2020 Provost’s Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty.

Michael Sykuta, associate professor of agricultural and applied economics, received the Outstanding Senior Teaching Award during CAFNR’s 2020 virtual Celebration of Excellence awards celebration.

Jamille Palacios, assistant teaching professor, received a professional development award from Huddle, a network-building program for junior faculty of color at the University of Missouri.

Welcome to DASS

Keri Jacobs, associate professor, serves as the MFA Chair in Agribusiness and Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership Distinguished Fellow.

Ben Brown, senior research associate, focuses on research and extension related to farm management, agricultural policy and value-added agriculture.

Program and Center Updates

The Financial Research Institute (FRI) has joined our division. Since 1988, FRI has promoted education, research and service in finance as part of the University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business.

Presented by the MU Division of Applied Social Sciences, the Engaging 4 MO webinar series offers research-based insights that leaders can apply in their work to benefit and strengthen the state’s agriculture and food system, hospitality sector and communities. Register for the upcoming webinar, happening May 19.

All program alumni are invited to participate in the Hospitality Industry Mentor Program. The program will pair alumni with current Hospitality Management students.

The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) released its annual U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook in March.

Research Highlights

Mary Hendrickson, associate professor of rural sociology, John Kruse, associate research professor, and Kerry Clark, director of CAFNR International Programs and assistant research professor of rural sociology, were the recipients of a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant for more than $420,000.

Pei Liu, assistant professor of hospitality management, received a USDA-NIFA grant to help Hmong farmers with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) training.

Randall Westgren, professor and McQuinn Chair of Entrepreneurial Leadership, recently received a grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for $499,975.

Ray Massey, extension professor, conducted a survey of Missouri land values. The research found recreational land values increased 11% on average and good farmland values increased 2% on average from 2019 to 2020.

John Tummons, assistant teaching professor, recently co-authored research that studied how preservice teachers experience Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education institutes.

Alumni Corner

John Fisher was honored, and a tad surprised, to learn that he was the out-of-state recipient of the Tiger Pride Award in 2020, given by the University of Missouri Alumni Association. The honor recognizes sustained, outstanding volunteer efforts. Photo courtesy of John Fisher.

'I Bleed Black and Gold'

John Fisher earns Tiger Pride Award from MU Alumni Association Read more

In Brief

Seth Meyer, PhD Agricultural Economics '02, has been named the USDA’s Chief Economist.

Taylor Abbate, BS Hospitality Management '16, was selected by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) to be part of the "20 in Their Twenties" Class of 2021.

Joshlin and Addie Yoder, both BS Agricultural Education '02, were selected as the recipients of the 2020 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award.

Clarissa Cauthorn, BS Agricultural Education '15, took second place at the American Farm Bureau Federation Discussion Meet earlier this year.

Bryan Garton, BS Agriculture '85, senior associate dean for CAFNR academic programs, and Patricia Breckenridge, BS Agriculture '75, judge, Supreme Court of Missouri, received 2020 Faculty-Alumni Awards from the Mizzou Alumni Association.

Give to DASS

If you’d like to give to the Division of Applied Social Sciences, then please consider a gift to the DASS Excellence Fund, which provides donors with an opportunity to support a wide variety of initiatives. Those include enriching the student experience and enhancing the learning environment.

Stay connected to DASS.

Connect with us on LinkedIn for updates about work created by our faculty, staff and students.

Watch our YouTube videos to hear about divisional research and student internships.

You are receiving this newsletter as an alumnus, donor or friend of the Division of Applied Social Sciences within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Questions? Contact cafnralumni@missouri.edu

CAFNR Alumni Association

112 Eckles Hall, Columbia, Missouri

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