Alumni of the School of Agricultural Sciences gathered Saturday for a "barnwarming" event and recognized emeriti faculty members. Left to right are Northwest Farm Manager Jim Husz with emeriti faculty Dr. Johanne Wynne Fairchild, Dr. Mervin Bettis, Dr. Dennis Padgitt and Dr. Harold Brown. (Submitted photo)

Feb. 7, 2018

Alumni gather to raise funds for agriculture scholarships

Alumni of Northwest Missouri State University’s School of Agricultural Sciences raised more than $5,000 for scholarships as they gathered for an inaugural “barnwarming” event Saturday at the Conference Center at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park.

The event, which was organized by alumni, included a recognition of emeriti faculty and current faculty as well as silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the auctions are being directed to scholarships to be awarded this spring to students in the School of Agricultural Sciences.

“Barnwarming 2018 was a huge success,” Rod Barr, the director of the School of Agricultural Science, said. “It was a tremendous opportunity to recognize emeriti faculty who have meant so much throughout the years to the School. Being able to raise more than $5,000 in the auctions makes a positive impact for our current students and shows the commitment of our alumni to our academic unit.”

The gathering recognized emeriti faculty Dr. Mervin Bettis, Dr. Harold Brown, Dr. Johanne Wynne Fairchild and Dr. Dennis Padgitt as well two who could not attend, Dr. Marvin Hoskey and Dr. Duane Jewell.

Joe Frueh, admissions representative at Northwest who received his degree in agricultural education from the University in 2015, joined the small group of alumni who helped organize the event.  

“This was an amazing opportunity for young alumni like myself to meet and talk with older alumni,” Frueh said. “While we all got to talk and have some fun, we were raising money to give scholarships to current students in the School of Agricultural Sciences. I am looking forward to next year's event.”

About the School of Agricultural Sciences

Northwest’s School of Agricultural Sciences is experiencing rapid growth and serves about 12 percent of the University’s undergraduate population. The School relocated last fall to the Dean L. Hubbard Center for Innovation while facilities such as the Horticulture Complex and the 448-acre R.T. Wright Farm – which is home to beef, swine, dairy and sheep enterprises as well as row and forage crops – continue to provide students with hands-on, profession-based experience that supports the 95 percent of bachelor’s degree earners in the School who find employment or continue their education within six months of graduation.

Additionally, Northwest and the School of Agricultural Sciences are in the planning stages and pursuing private support to help fund an $8.5 million, 29,000-square-foot Agricultural Learning Center at the Wright Farm and supplement and enhance the academic curriculum.

The School of Agricultural Sciences offers agricultural majors in agricultural business, agriculture education, agriculture science, agronomy, animal science, animal science-pre vet, horticulture and technology, in addition to minors, a two-year farm operations certificate and master’s programs in agriculture, education and economics.

For more information, contact the School of Agricultural Sciences at 660.562.1155 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/ag/.