AGNR graduate Julie Mongeon addresses a crowd inside Memorial Chapel
Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg
Julie Mongeon isn’t pondering the question facing many college graduates these days: What now?
That’s because she already knows what her next step will be after graduating from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) at the University of Maryland.
She’ll be applying the knowledge she gained as a nutrition and food science major in her position as a biological lab aid at the United States Department of Agriculture while preparing to apply to Physician’s Assistant graduate programs this coming summer.
Julie was chosen to serve as the student speaker at the College of AGNR’s graduation ceremony held inside the university’s Memorial Chapel December 20. From a family of Terrapins, Julie is the fourth of five children, all of whom have attended or are currently attending the University of Maryland – four in the College of AGNR.
“This is so surreal for me because I can remember celebrating this moment in my three older siblings’ lives,” she told the attendees.
Julie also served as a student ambassador for AGNR, which required her to represent the College at open houses and other events, and described it as one of the highlights of her time at the University of Maryland.
“I was able to reflect on my life and share important details so that others could have as incredible of an experience I as did,” Julie said. “I could also brag about study abroad and how awesome AGNR really is, which was always a treat.”
More than 80 students received bachelor’s degrees from the College of AGNR this December, while 25 received master’s degrees and nine completed PhDs. Their fields of study encompassed seven diverse programs ranging from animal science, plant science and environmental science to agricultural economics, nutrition and veterinary medicine. During their time with the College of AGNR, many students had the opportunity to take their studies to different countries around the world or put them into practice during internships and volunteer programs.
In his remarks, Dean Cheng-i Wei encouraged the graduates to take some time to celebrate their accomplishments but not to rest long before applying their skills and work ethics at the next level.
“We have a growing and hungry world to feed and a precious and fragile environment to protect,” said Dean Wei. “I look forward to seeing you as graduates of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources discovering the cure for diseases, finding new ways to feed people more nutritious and safe food. I know I will see some of you in elected positions helping to create policies and laws to keep our farm land open, while keeping our waters and lands clean and safe for citizens to enjoy.”
Congratulations to the most recent graduates from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and best wishes for a bright and prosperous future!
Feel like college flew by? Check out this graduation time lapse by photographer Edwin Remsberg of Remsberg Inc. :
Visit the photo gallery for more pictures from 2012's winter graduation.
