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Voices of ACES Blog

A Homecoming tradition: Bringing together the past, present, and future of AGCM

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For the past two years (and many years before) Agricultural Communications (AGCM) alumni and current students have gotten together to celebrate homecoming and the industry. It’s called the AGCM Homecoming Huddle, originally starting in the 1970s under Dr. Jim Evans.

Voices of ACES Blog

Beyond the Alps

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During our time in Switzerland with the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress, our group had the opportunity to learn more about agricultural communications around the world. We also got to visit many Swiss farms, learn about the agricultural industry in Switzerland, and network with agricultural journalists from around the world, all while taking in the beautiful scenery in Switzerland. 

GFAJ elects inaugural Board of Trustees, including ACES faculty member and alum

The Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism (GFAJ) has reached a milestone with the election of its first full board of trustees, which includes two representatives associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Enivironmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

This marks an important step forward for the newly established charity as it embarks on its mission to enhance and promote agricultural journalism and communication on a global scale.

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Student leadership development requires holistic approach, educators say

Colleges and universities often highlight leadership development as a critical component of their curriculum — but there is no clear consensus on what constitutes effective leadership education.

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From blue jacket to Illini orange — Doyle Karr’s colorful career in agricultural communications

What seems like not long ago, Doyle was a young child growing up on his family’s farm in Wapella, Illinois. The sixteenth of nineteen children, Doyle held responsibilities on their farm just as his siblings did: milking cows, collecting eggs, and working in the garden. 

In the blink of an eye, Doyle Karr, a 1986 graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, found himself standing on stage in front of the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences’ graduating class of 2024 as a distinguished alumnus and this year’s keynote speaker.  

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Voices of ACES Blog

Visiting a country rich in love, faith and hope

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Sierra Leone — nicknamed Salone by many who live there — is one of the poorest countries in the world. But it’s rich in other ways … with love, strong faith, and hope for the future. I spent my spring break in Freetown, the city where freed slaves returned to Africa.

With five Illinois College of Media journalism students and two professors, we shot b-roll, conducted interviews, and collected audio to create a documentary on mitigating period poverty.

Voices of ACES Blog

Sisters’ unique paths in ACES stem from shared adventures on the farm

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Since we were young, my sister and I have embraced our differences, but found joy and passion in similar things. 

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