People

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Gratitude has been a trendy sentiment in recent years – sparking an industry of journals, knickknacks and T-shirts touting thankfulness as a positive force in individuals’ lives.

New research suggests that gratitude from one’s partner may be a powerful tool for couples as well, increasing relationship satisfaction and commitment while protecting couples from the corrosive effects of ineffective arguing and financial stress.

Jenny Larson has been on the job at ACES for just two weeks, but as the new assistant dean of marketing, she's excited to steer the ACES brand into the future. Read on to learn more about Jenny.

Where did you grow up? Do you have an agriculture background? If so, what did that look like?

Kaiyu Guan is a researcher with lofty goals – he hopes to monitor, model and ultimately optimize every farmland. Guan aims to achieve these goals in the coming decade or so. He’s a researcher with a mission; of helping create tools so farmers can check on and manage their crops – every single field – in real-time to maintain a healthy and productive growth cycle. But simply reaching that goal isn’t enough. Guan also hopes to achieve co-sustainability of environment quality and food security.

Now in veterinary school at U of I, animal lover Jacob Dalen got his start in the Department of Animal Sciences' pre-vet track, and minored in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. This week's 5 Questions Friday looks back at Dalen's time at ACES.

Where did you grow up? Do you have an agriculture background? If so, what did that look like?

URBANA, Ill. – Lifelong beef production devotee Doug Parrett was technically retired from the University of Illinois, but the emeritus professor never stopped showing up for the Department of Animal Sciences, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), or the beef industry. Still an active teacher, mentor, and friend to many, Parrett passed away unexpectedly on August 26, 2022. He was 71.

URBANA, Ill. – Tim Lecher, the assistant director of facilities, operations and planning in agricultural and biological engineering, is one of eight civil service employees recognized for exceptional performance by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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!

URBANA, Ill. – There’s a lot of history in the iconic Stock Pavilion on the University of Illinois’ South Quad. Now, thanks to one family’s love for the space and another family’s personal ties to a very famous steer, a piece of history will welcome visitors to the Stock Pavilion forever.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new study examines how Americans acquired food at various points during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how those activities changed over time as case numbers fluctuated and vaccines became available.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Black adolescents who lived in poverty and were less optimistic about the future showed accelerated aging in their immune cells and were more likely to have elevated insulin resistance at ages 25-29, researchers found.