Scientists from the University of Zagreb-Croatia visited Truman this summer as part of their tour of the U.S. to gain knowledge of the American agriculture system. Glenn Wehner, professor of animal science, (far left) and Mark Campbell, professor of agriculture, (far right), provided on-campus instruction on several aspects of agriculture research.

Jose Herrera, Prof. of Biology and Chair of the Department of Biology, has had a paper accepted for publication in the journal Microbial Ecology. The title of the article is, ‘Molecular characterization of coprophilous fungal communities reveals sequences related to root-associated fungal endophytes’. The article was co-authored by Ravin Poudel (JR, BIOL) and Hana Khidir (2009, BIOL).

Abdo Alghamdi, Asst. Prof. in AGSC has had a publication accepted in the journal Animal Reproduction Science. The tiel of the article is, ‘Comparative studies on bull and stallion seminal DNase activity and interaction with semen extender and spermatozoa’. Abdo is the first author on the article.

The agriculture industry is not your typical business environment when it comes to finding jobs. Most farms tend to find help via word-of-mouth rather than posting a job description on the latest hot job website. Therefore making connections in the sector you wish to be a part of is something that should be started as soon as possible! One ideal way to begin these connections is through a summer or semester internship within your field.
For example: I was a student in the Summer Experience in Equine Management program at Miner Institute the summer after my Junior year at Truman. At the end of the summer my boss asked me to return after graduation to complete a year-long equine management internship over this last year. While at Miner I was sent to the Winter Driving Conference hosted by the Saratoga Driving Association. At the conference I met Marc Johnson and ended up being invited to spend a week shadowing him and eventually competing with one of his students in the summer. Through my time with Marc I ended up making connections for two different full-time, lasting job opportunities within the equine industry.
Another great opportunity that internships allow for is the experience of what it’s actually like to work in the industry. Unless you grew up on a farm, you may not have ever worked a full-time job in the agricultural specialization that you are aiming for. Completing an internship can offer that missing experience to see if you truly do want to work in the job you have always dreamed of.
The most important thing to remember is that every single person you meet could end up being a connection someday. Be careful before burning bridges with someone no matter how rude they may be to you. Keep a lookout for chances to advance and never let a learning opportunity go by!
-Carrie Ostrowski, Class of 2009

I was a Biology major at Truman all four years. I went into undergrad knowing that I wanted to go to vet school. As such, I planned out my four years to take classes that would help me gain knowledge of the veterinary profession as well as get into vet school. The core classes I was required to take as a Biology major have greatly helped me in vet school, especially genetics, cellular biology, and biochemistry. I also have found the elective agricultural classes of animal reproduction, animal health, and livestock management extremely helpful.
Overall, I feel that the course load of vet school is not more difficult than Truman. Truman did a wonderful job of preparing me for vet school. What makes vet school more intense, however, is the amount of classes that are taken at one time. If I had taken 18 credit hours every semester at Truman (which I did not, I averaged around 14-15 each semester) I believe I would have had to study about as much as I have in vet school. That being said, it is because I challenged myself at Truman and took tough science courses that I felt so prepared for vet school. It is important to have a basic knowledge of science before entering vet school, it sure greatly helped me.
I like that Truman had small class sizes, and because of that I got to know my professors and classmates fairly well. I got one of the best educations available for vet school. Truman has a great pre-veterinary program; if I had to do it all over again, there is no doubt in my mind that I would go to Truman for undergrad.
Erin Pauli

The R. W. Torres Foundation for the Blind of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, Sponsored a summer camp—July 17-25–for blind youth of the Caribbean: Camp Can Do. The program for the camp provided blind and low-vision youth with positive and motivating experiences to enhance personal growth and development through a series of workshops and activities. David Wohlers, professor of chemistry, traveled to Bon Accord, Tobago and conducted a hands-on science experiment demonstrating how blind students can collect and manipulate laboratory data. For many of the students this was the first time they were ever allowed to personally and independently participate in a laboratory experience. Ancil Torres, the camp organizer, wishes to focus the campers on what they can do as blind individuals and not on what they cannot do because they are blind.

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