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Alumni

Larry Hageman: Cultivating food access through 4-H endowment

Larry Hageman is wrapping up his career by giving back to the organization that played a pivotal role in his personal and professional development: 4-H. His recent gift to create an endowed 4-H State Award will provide an annual scholarship to support Illinois 4-H members engaged in programs related to food access, food production, or agronomy.

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Philanthropy for the Pershings is a family affair

“Blessed,” a simple answer was all that was given by Roscoe and Ann Pershing when asked why they give back to the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois. The Pershings, whose relationship with the U. of I. started more than four decades ago, find it important to provide opportunities for others, especially those at ACES.

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Voices of ACES Blog

National Nutrition Month - Alumna Feature - Dawn Jackson Blatner

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As we say goodbye to National Nutrition Month, the College of ACES would like to introduce you to alumna Dawn Jackson Blatner. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics & Nutrition from the Food Science and Human Nutrition department in 1997. 

Voices of ACES Blog

National Nutrition Month - Alumna Feature - Jenny Westerkamp

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In honor of National Nutrition Month, the College of ACES proudly spotlights alum Jenny Westerkamp. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics & Nutrition from the Food Science and Human Nutrition department in 2008. She worked in professional sports for 13 years, including serving as the Team Nutritionist for the Chicago Bulls from 2017-2022. Now, she is a playmaker in business, serving as CEO of All Access Dietetics and assisting the next generation of dietitians. 

2022 College of ACES outstanding alumni honored

URBANA, Ill. – Each year the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois honors outstanding ACES alumni. Recipients are chosen in the categories of Outstanding Young Alumni, Career Achievement, Award of Merit, and ACES Family Spirit. The 2022 recipients were honored during the annual ACES Alumni Awards Gala Mon., October 24, at Pear Tree Estate in Champaign.

ACES Alumni Award of Merit recipients:

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5 Questions: Patrick Martin

This week’s 5 Questions Friday features ACES alum, Patrick Martin (’09 Policy, International Trade and Development). Today, Martin works as a government relations professional for Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, Chicago and Washington DC.

Where did you grow up, and do you have an agriculture background? If so, describe. 

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5 Questions: Meghan Clodfelter, ACES coordinator of alumni engagement

Where did you grow up? Do you have an agriculture background? If so, describe.

I grew up in Sterling, Illinois on a 14-acre farmette where there was always a new project to do.  My involvement in 4-H (local club, county ambassadors, and federation officers) kept me busy, and I loved assisting with our Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program. My summers consisted of hog shows, and my brother and I even raised popcorn to sell to our community!

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5 Questions: ACES alum finds motivation in helping students navigate college

This week’s 5 Questions Friday features Travis Johnson, TSM alum and current academic advisor and instructor for ETMAS and TSM in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

What motivates you in your work?

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Food industry professional, ACES alum pays it forward as a mentor

URBANA, Ill. – It’s 6 a.m., and Nick Tarleton is on a bus with 20 or so university students. They’ve just left Oak Brook, Illinois, and they’re headed to their first stop of the day on their behind-the-scenes tour of the food and beverage processing industry in the Chicago area.

Tarleton calls out, “What are you most excited to see today?” Inevitably, someone answers back, “How do you have so much energy?!”

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