UMC Students Earn FFA American Degree
Six current UMC students and one alumnus have been recognized by the National FFA Organization with its American Degree. The awards were presented recently at the organization’s annual national convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The honored students include Kelly Bisek, Holly Erickson, Michael Hendrickx, Andrea Jensen, Trent McCollum, Brent Steinmetz, and alumnus Darren Buckle.
The American FFA Degree is the highest degree that an FFA member can attain, and only about one half of one percent of the total national membership of the organization attain this high honor. Each recipient receives a special certificate and the coveted Gold Key, symbolic of this high degree of membership.
UMC features a collegiate FFA chapter, allowing students who were involved in the organization in high school can continue their involvement and leadership development throughout their college career.
“The programs UMC offers in agriculture have always been a strong draw for students involved in FFA,” according to David Hoff, assistant professor of agricultural business and economics, “But this kind of recognition for so many is phenomenal! It reflects well on each of them individually, and it reflects well on the University of Minnesota, Crookston to have such high caliber students.”
Pictured above (from back left),
Andrea Jensen, Brent Steinmetz, Trent McCollum, Holly Erickson, (front)
Kelly Bisek, and Michael Hendrickx
Kelly Bisek is a sophomore majoring in agricultural education at UMC. He is from Mahnomen. His parents are Sharon and Gene Bisek.
Holly Erickson is a sophomore majoring in agricultural business. She is also from Mahnomen. Her parents are Dale and Sheila Erickson.
Michael Hendrickx is a sophomore. He is from New York Mills and is majoring in animal industries management—dairy science. His parents are Steve and Bonnie Hendrickx.
Andrea Jenson is a sophomore from Twin Valley. She is majoring in equine industries management at UMC. Her mother is Cindy Jenson.
Trent McCollum is a sophomore majoring in agronomy. His parents are Terry and Theresa McCollum of Bejou.
Brian Steinmetz is a sophomore majoring in agricultural systems management. His parents are James and Susan Steinmetz of Mahnomen.
Darren Buckle graduated from UMC in May 2001 with a degree in equine science. He is from Twin Valley.
For more information about UMC’s Collegiate FFA chapter or any of its degree programs in agriculture, contact UMC’s Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources at 218-281-8101 or visit its website www.umcrookston.edu/AgNatR.
Posted 12/06/2001
Contact: Andrew Svec,
218-281-8435