April 20, 2006

Eleven students picked as 'Agbassadors'

by K.C. Jaehnig

(Editors: Note local names.)

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Eleven students from Southern Illinois University Carbondale's College of Agricultural Sciences will serve as "Agbassadors" in the 2006-2007 school year.

As "ambassadors for agriculture," they will represent their college and recruit new students during information fairs, career days and open houses.

A committee of administrators and students from the college selects these students; Lucas D. Maxwell, the college coordinator of recruitment, retention and placement, advises them.

The Agbassadors (by hometown) are:

Camp Point: Michael R. Bockhold, a sophomore in plant, soil and agricultural sciences with a specialization in agricultural systems. Bockhold serves as vice noble ruler of management and operations and as chaplain for the SIUC chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, as sentinel for the University's Collegiate FFA chapter and as Interfraternity Council programming chair. He also has spent time as a student worker with both Habitat for Humanity and Adopt-A-Spot. Bockhold's parents are Henry J. and Joyce A. Bockhold (1961 N. 1550th Ave.).

Chatham: Megan R. Pulliam, a sophomore University Honors Program student with a double major in Spanish and in plant, soil and agricultural systems specializing in agricultural systems. She belongs to the Horticulture Association, the Student Environmental Center, Leadership Council and the Saluki Volunteer Corps. Her mother is Chatham resident Kimberly E. Pulliam (714 Magnolia Drive). Her father, William R. Pulliam, lives in Pekin (1419 Matilda St.).

DuBois: Amanda L. Barczewski, a senior in agribusiness economics. Barczewski, a returning Agbassador, belongs to Sigma Alpha Pi and Alpha Zeta, an agricultural fraternity. Her parents are Thomas L. and Marlene A. Barczewski (460 Keil Drive).

Gays: David L. Swits, a freshman in agribusiness economics. Swits serves as vice noble ruler of finance for the SIUC chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. His parents are Gary D. and Nancy J. Swits (R.R. 1).

Gillespie: Tyler L. Brown, a junior in plant, soil and agricultural systems with a specialization in agricultural systems technology. A returning Agbassador, Brown is president of the Agriculture Systems Technology Club and a member of the Agriculture Student Advisory Council and Alpha Zeta, an agricultural fraternity. His parents are Randy L. and Lisa K. Brown (7971 Red School Road).

Kewanee: Alyssa A. Rider, a sophomore in animal science, food and nutrition specializing in food and nutrition, and a University Honors Program student. She serves as vice president of the Student Nutrition Academic Council and belongs to Alpha Lambda Delta (an honor society), Alpha Zeta (an agricultural fraternity) and Sigma Kappa sorority. Rider's parents are Stephen L. and Karen S. Rider (615 Midland Drive).

Louisville: Tracy G. Mellendorf, a junior in agribusiness economics. She belongs to the SIUC chapter of Collegiate FFA. Her parents are Kent R. and Janice E. Mellendorf (18382 E. First Ave.).

Normal: Jessica L. Pyritz, a junior in animal science, food and nutrition specializing in animal science. She serves as first vice president, historian and InterGreek Council chair for Sigma Alpha agricultural sorority and belongs to Alpha Zeta (an agricultural fraternity), Alpha Lambda Delta (an honor society) and the campus chapter of the College Republicans. Her parents are William J. and Eileen B. Pyritz (209 W. Raab Road).

Olney: Tiffany D. Ochs, a senior in agribusiness economics. A returning Agbassador, she serves as second vice president of Sigma Alpha agricultural sorority and belongs to Alpha Zeta, an agricultural fraternity. Her mother is Debra L. Ochs (3811 N. Stringtown Road).

Pekin: Please see Chatham.

Pinckneyville: Fahran K.J. Robb, a senior University Honors Program student with a double major in political science and in plant, soil and agricultural systems specializing in agricultural information. A returning Agbassador, she is the first SIUC student named to the USA Today newspaper's All-USA Academic Team. This year, Robb serves as an officer in seven agriculture-related organizations and in two honor societies. She belongs to a host of other organizations and has received numerous awards and scholarships over the last two years. Robb's parents are Samuel J. and Myrna R. Robb (4590 Wren Road).

Steeleville: Christa L. Mahnken, a sophomore majoring in animal science, food and nutrition specializing in animal science. Mahnken serves as sisterhood chair and multi-cultural Greek Council co-chair for Sigma Alpha (an agricultural sorority) and belongs to Block and Bridle, Alpha Lambda Delta (an honor society) and The Dawg Pound (a pack of men's basketball fans who sit together in a special section of the SIU arena during home games). She is the daughter of Dennis E. and Sondra F. Mahnken (11268 Blair Road).

Engaging the whole student is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.