Outstanding Senior 4 year - Katie M. Dixon

A native of Kent County, Maryland, Katie Marie Dixon was a highly recruited student because of her excellent academic record combined with exceptional extra curricular activities, especially related to the Guernsey dairy cattle industry. She has continued to prove her academic excellence in the Management and Industry option of her Animal Sciences major carrying a 3.656 grade point average while taking major leadership roles in many college organizations and national dairy activities.

The breadth of Katie's activities and interests, and her ability to do each of them well is one of her strongest attributes. She has been active and held leadership roles in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Student Council, Animal Husbandry Club, and Alpha Zeta, the agricultural honorary, where she is currently serving as Chancellor (president). She also serves as a College Student Ambassador sharing her knowledge of the college with prospective students and their families. In each role and activity, Katie seeks the maximum involvement for herself and the group. She has been instrumental in making sure that Maryland students are visible and active on the national scene of animal science related student organizations, as well as Alpha Zeta, having coordinated fundraising efforts and logistics for such out-of state trips.

Having grown up on a dairy farm, Katie continues to work for and with her father at Dix-Lee Farm in Chestertown. Additionally, she expanded her dairy knowledge by working one summer at an organic dairy farm, also in Chestertown. She rounded out her summer experiences during college by working as part of a research team conducting environmental assessments on working farms, with regard to protection of watershed resources. During the academic year, she worked part-time for three years as a student assistant for the college's alumni relations office. Katie's commitment to "giving back" is evidenced in her volunteer role as a coach for the Kent County Dairy Judging Team, and ready volunteer at 4-H and other community events.

Katie's activities and accomplishments do not end at the campus gate or farm lane! She has distinguished herself in dairy cattle breeding and showmanship events at the local, regional, and national level. She was elected as the 2000 National Guernsey Queen, a competition based on knowledge of the breed association and the dairy industry, as well as public speaking and leadership skills. She has laid excellent groundwork to meet her career goal of involvement in promotion, production, or genetics of the dairy cow.

Beyond her dairy cattle-related recognition, Katie has been the recipient of many College of Agriculture and Natural Resources scholarships. She was inducted into the Golden Key National Collegiate Honor Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and was recognized with the American Society of Animal Science Scholarship Recognition award in 1999 and 2000.

Katie's combination of academic excellence, involvement and clear career direction makes her a future alumnus who will serve as a role model for peers and future students.

For more information, contact Gail Yeiser

Last updated: 05/2/2007