2024 Agriculture and Food Science Student Award Winners

Megan Mudd
Outstanding Graduate Student

Megan Mudd is an enthusiastic student with a deep love for plants. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from WKU, she returned to academia to delve deeper into her passion. Her research focuses on how biochar, a stable form of carbon, affects the root-to-shoot growth of conifer propagations. She conducted her experiments at the Jerry E. Baker Arboretum, this allowed her to further explore her fascination with woody perennials, for which she holds immense gratitude toward the Baker Foundation for the opportunity. Megan’s enthusiasm for sharing knowledge was evident during her time as a graduate teaching assistant, and she has since transitioned into an instructor role at the WKU Glasgow Campus.

Emily Kelley
Outstanding Agribusiness Senior

Emily Kelley is a senior from Morgantown, Kentucky, graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business with a minor in Sales. Emily’s love for the agriculture industry stemmed from raising goats, sheep, cattle, hogs, and horses. Emily works alongside her family in their agriculture repair business. Emily has held various roles throughout her college career. Since Fall of 2021, Emily has been an active member of Sigma Alpha, a professional agriculture sorority at WKU, where she has served as Vice President, sisterhood chair, and social chair. She has also served as the Vice President of the Agribusiness Club. After graduation, Emily plans to attend graduate school and get an early start on her career in insurance.

Makayla Bizzell
Outstanding Agricultural Education Student

Makayla Bizzell is a senior from Mount Juliet, Tennessee with a concentration in Agricultural Education. Makayla has represented the Department of Agriculture at Agriscience and Education Field Day, State CTE Conference, and she has been a member of the WKU Cheer Team for four years. She has been a Teach Ag Day Ambassador and a member of the Agricultural Education Society for four years, serving as Vice President of the AES her senior year. She is completing her student teaching in secondary agricultural education at Warren East High School under Harley McIntyre. After completion, she plans to continue her education by working on her Master’s degree and then seeking employment as a full-time agriculture teacher in Kentucky or Tennessee.

Grace Mika
Outstanding Agronomy - Plant Science Student

Grace is a senior Agriculture major from Frankfort, Kentucky who is focusing in Agronomy. She currently serves as a faculty-elected Agriculture Ambassador and is the current President of the WKU Agronomy Club. Grace has taken advantage of multiple opportunities while at WKU, including participation in multiple agriculture-related internships and a study abroad experience in Costa Rica. After graduation, Grace plans to work in the agriculture industry.

David Kearns
Outstanding Agronomy - Soil Science Student

David Kearns is a first-year graduate student from Elizabethtown, KY. He graduated in December of 2023 with a B.S. in Agronomy-Soil Science. Always interested in natural sciences, his path became more focused as he encountered sustainable agriculture while attaining his AS at ECTC. During his time at WKU, David participated in Agronomy Club and some WKU Habitat for Humanity projects. Extending his education beyond the classroom, he competed in regional soil judging hosted in West Virginia. Currently, David is a Graduate Research Assistant for the Department of Agriculture and Food Science at WKU.

Allie Blair
Outstanding Animal Science Student

Allie Blair is a senior Agriculture major with a focus in Animal Science and a concentration in Pre-Vet from Rineyville, Kentucky. She is graduating in May and heading to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall to achieve the goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. Allie is currently involved in several clubs including Block and Bridle, Meat Science Club, and Pre-Vet Club, and she is also an ambassador for the Department of Agriculture.

Joe Taylor
Outstanding Floriculture Student

Joe is a nontraditional student who came to Western to pursue a Horticulture degree in hopes of learning to help with the cut flower farm he and his wife started in Scottsville. He took notice of the Floral Design program, so he could assist his wife with making arrangements when they attend markets. Joe fell in love with the program and enjoys every day that he gets to come to campus and be in any of the certificate classes. He attended the American Institute of Floral Designers Southern Conference where he placed 2nd in sympathy design.

Caroline Davenport
Outstanding Horticulture Student

Caroline graduated in December 2023 with a degree in Agriculture and concentrations in Horticulture and Agribusiness. Since graduation, Caroline has taken a job at her local Farm Service Agency in Russellville, KY and plans to continue to grow and sell her ornamental pumpkin crop. In her free time, she enjoys making flower arrangements and being in the outdoors.

Maranda Record
Outstanding Horse Science Student

Maranda grew up in Shelbyville, Tennessee, widely known for the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Her major is Equine Science, and she plans to use her degree to run an equine therapeutic center and operate a home for retired show horses to spend the rest of their days. Growing up around and being in the TWH industry has given her many opportunities to grow not only as a rider, but also to expand her connections and experience a wide variety of career options to help the industry thrive for future generations.

Tristan Eakes
Outstanding Turfgrass Management Student

Tristan Eakes hails from Ridgetop, Tennessee. He actively participates in various organizations on and around campus, including the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity and the Living Hope College Ministry. Golf and baseball are two of his greatest passions. With over three years of experience in Turfgrass, he has worked at TN Grasslands Fairvue Plantation Course. Upon graduation, he intends to pursue a career path as either an Assistant Superintendent, a surveyor for potential golf courses, or to venture into soil sampling.

Abigail Krent
Outstanding Senior

Abigail Krent, a native of the Hoosier state, has made the most of her time on the Hill. Over the past four years, she has served as the president of the WKU Horticulture Club and Mu Iota Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, as well as played cello in the WKU Symphony. Abigail has also received recognition for her academic merit, conducted award-winning research, presented at local and national research conferences, and is currently writing a manuscript for publication. She will be graduating Summa Cum Laude this May and heading to Michigan State University for a doctorate in Horticulture.