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±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø Now: Maria Lee

Major: Precision agriculture

Hometown: Mequon, Wisconsin

Graduation year: May 2027

What is your involvement on campus?

I am involved with Sigma Alpha sorority, Agronomy and Precision Ag Club and Catholic Daughters of America. I am the 2027 Commodity Classic student co-coordinator, a CAFES ambassador and a Klingbeil Scholar.

Why did you choose SDSU?

The amazing community culture on campus and within Brookings. I grew up in 4-H and was surrounded by incredible people who created an environment that pushed me to be the best person I can be. When I started looking at colleges, I knew that continuing to surround myself with people like that would help me go further in life, and that is exactly what SDSU offered.

What or who inspired you to pursue your career path?

My faith, and a small dairy farm run by a father-son duo, Dean and Michael. I had the chance to work on their farm and saw firsthand how they balance caring for land while keeping an economically smart dairy. Through experiences like this, I have learned that with the right technology, support and data, we can create insights on individual farms to develop management practices that are both economically sound and environmentally responsible.

What have been your most impactful experiences here at SDSU?

Some of my most impactful experiences at SDSU have come from taking part in events made possible by industry supporters and alumni. It has been an amazing opportunity to attend events like Commodity Classic. Not only were we able to attend, but we had the opportunity to meet with the sponsor groups and learn from their experiences.

What is your favorite part of your time here at SDSU?

The connections I have made with my peers and professors. It means a lot to be able to walk into a professor's office and gain hands-on learning opportunities, discuss new technologies or simply talk about life. In a world where time is limited, I have never once felt that I was not worth someone's time at SDSU.

±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø Then: Clark Moeckly

Degree: Mechanized agriculture

Years at SDSU: 1962-1966

Hometown: Britton, South Dakota

Current city: Lake City, South Dakota

What was your involvement during your time at SDSU?

I was involved with the Wesley Foundation and Alpha Gamma Ro fraternity.

What or who inspired you to pursue your career path?

Most of what I did was by chance. After I graduated, I worked in the Peace Corps for two years, and through that we were able to introduce a new variety of wheat into Nepal. It was a dwarf variety Norman Borlaug had developed, and that piqued my interest in the seed business.

What was the most rewarding thing about your career?

The ability to grow and produce seed that people actually wanted, to have a product that people needed.

What was your favorite part of your time at SDSU?

I met my wife there! That would have to be favorite. We met at the Wesley Foundation.

How do you like to spend your spare time?

In the summer, I do some woodworking, golf, mow at a golf course and fish a fair amount. In the winter, we spend six months in Arizona.

What advice do you have for current students at SDSU?

Don’t get too hung up on what your particular major is. Get a degree, and go from there.