Bernie, MO, Native Morgan Riley Named Golden Opportunity Scholar

2013 Sep 25

Southeast Missouri State University junior Morgan Riley of Bernie, Mo., has been named a Golden Opportunity Scholar and will attend mentoring conferences Nov. 3-6 through the Golden Opportunity Scholars Institute.

The Institute is a program co-sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America.

"I was very excited when I found out that I had been chosen as a Golden Opportunity Scholar. I knew that usually they chose juniors and seniors, and I had applied as a sophomore, which was even more exciting," she said.

She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness and with a major in plant and soil science. Morgan will receive a mentor, based on her career aspirations, when she attends the program in Tampa, Fla. The mentorship will begin at the meeting and continue for the year.

Morgan said she plans to be a crop consultant for her hometown and the surrounding area, so she will be matched with a mentor in a similar career to gain networking, advice and opportunities available to her.

Morgan first learned about the Golden Opportunity Scholar program from her advisor. After investigating the program, she said she knew she wanted to pursue applying and did so last spring. She found out in late summer she had been named a Golden Opportunity Scholar.

Morgan said she looks forward to engaging with her mentors, listening to presentations from high-profile scientists and attending student programs during the conferences. She also expects to learn more about graduate programs, scholarships and job opportunities, as well as get a mentor who will work with her for a year. She also expects to increase her exposure to many disciplines in agronomy, the study of producing plants for food, fiber, reclamation and fuel, as well as in crops, soils and environmental sciences.

"Agriculture is an exciting field," she said. "The agriculture department is like a huge family, and the faculty is amazing. I never know what to expect when I head to a class. One day we are in the classroom taking notes, the next day we are out at the Barton Agriculture Research Center walking through a corn field and the next we have a guest speaker. Being in agriculture, I won't have problems finding a job when I graduate or in the future. Everyone has to eat, so there will always be agriculture jobs. Also, with an agriculture degree, there are so many possibilities for job opportunities, so I won't be limited to just one thing."

She said she also is looking forward to being recognized at the awards program the event holds.

She says she will receive financial aid from the societies for the costs associated with the trip, including transportation and lodging.

While at Southeast, in addition to studying, she also works on campus as a student employee in the Department of Agriculture, and works off campus as a crop scout.

"Working on campus is definitely a better choice for students with a full course load. On campus you are limited to 20 hours each week and the schedule is very flexible. Cheryl (Reinagel), my boss, makes sure all of the student workers and I know that our academics come first and work is second. She works with us so that if we have a lot of homework or a test to study for we can get that done," Morgan said.

In addition to her jobs, Morgan is involved in the Collegiate Farm Bureau and Delta Tau Alpha, and is the secretary/treasurer of Soles4Souls, three student organizations on campus.

"Being a part of the various clubs has helped me get to know people in my department and just have fun with them," Morgan says.

Not only does she spend time with her friends in her student organizations, she likes to eat out in Cape Girardeau with her friends. She also enjoys going downtown and shopping.

"There have been countless late nights when my roommates, suitemates and I have gone to Applebee's for half-price appetizers, stayed up doing laundry, or waited in the cold for the green shuttle only to get on the River Campus shuttle," she says.

Since she is always taking photos, Morgan says she enrolled in a photography class this semester to whet her appetite for her new hobby, photography.

"The darkroom and developing has been my favorite part so far. Every time I have been to the darkroom, I have ended up staying for hours at a time. It's like a whole different world when you walk in. I never have seen myself as very creative, but I can definitely see it coming out now. I plan to continue this new hobby long after the class ends," she says.

She has some tips for future students. "I would tell them to take classes in subjects they wouldn't normally take. They might decide to change their major or add a minor," she said.

"From personal experience," she adds, "do not bring everything you own to your dorm. You won't have enough room to store it all, and it's harder to move home," she says.