GUELPH — The University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) saw 468 graduates last month.
The majority of graduates (391) were undergrads and 77 were graduate students.
The estimated costs for tuition the University of Guelph for fall, 2019, ranges from $3,045 to $4,622. This doesn’t include fees, residence, meal plan or textbooks.
The winter tuition numbers have not been released yet.
Meet the top University of Guelph ag graduates
David Westerveld, 21, Ingersoll, Ont.
Background: Didn’t grow up on a farm, but worked on a Standardbred breeding farm and dairy farm during high school.
Achievements: Dow Seeds Dairy Challenge Prize (for participation in the Annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge); Class of ‘51 OAC Leadership Prize (based on significant demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities), and the Class of 1933 Prize (for academic standing and involvement in extracurricular activities).
College highlight: Being a part of Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural College, the student college governance for the OAC, including as president in 2018-19, “allowed me to meet some great students, professors, alumni and industry members.”
Future: To focus on research and agronomy, as well as explore agriculture in other provinces and countries. “I also have the goal of one day owning my own farm.”
Summer plans: “I began a MSc. program at the University of Guelph-Ridgetown Campus in mid-April. I will be conducting and examining trials on glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane and metribuzin-resistant waterhemp and trying to find ways to help Ontario farmers conquer these weeds.”
Jessica Awrey, 23, Simcoe
Background: Not from a farm, but worked on a neighbour’s cow-calf farm.
Achievements: Graduating with honours; and the OAC Centennial Graduate Prize (for academic achievement in semesters 7 and 8 and extracurricular activities).
College highlight: The Costa Rica field course in international agriculture and the crop science field trip through the Midwest States.
Future: “In September, I will begin my MSc through the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph. The proposed research is investigating the efficacy of various cover crop mixtures and termination methods, in terms of grain corn yield and profit margins.”
Summer plans: Working for Bayer CropScience as a market development agronomist for Huron, Perth, Lambton, and Middlesex counties.
Erica Sayles, 22, Paris, Ont.
Background: Jersey dairy farm.
Achievements: The Samuel L. Carr prize (a minimum of 70 per cent in semester levels seven and eight and for leadership in college and community); and the Class of OAC ‘51 Leadership Prize (based on significant demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities).
College highlight: A two-week crop tour of the U.S. Midwest.
Future: “I have a full-time position with Parion Animal Nutrition, a Purina dealer located in Hickson. I work with all of our customers doing a monthly visit and evaluate different aspects of the farm. I help create monthly reports that track the progression of things such as manure scores throughout the year and help identify and troubleshoot any bottlenecks on the farm.”
