THE CFAES STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTS CFAES CLUBS BY FOSTERING COMMUNICATION AMONG STUDENTS, STAFF, AND ALUMNI. ALEACIA LAIRD, PRESIDENT, CFAES STUDENT COUNCIL, A SENIOR IN PLANT PATHOLOGY, TALKS WITH ANDY VANCE, ’11, PRESIDENT, CFAES ALUMNI SOCIETY, ABOUT LIFE ON CAMPUS AND WAYS ALUMNI CAN ENGAGE.
What’s life been like for the Class of 2023, given the challenges of the past three years?
It’s kind of hard to describe. I feel like these past four years have been a time of adjusting. First, it was adjusting to being in college. Then, it was adjusting to college in a pandemic. Then, it was adjusting back to how classes were before. It definitely was hard, but a good experience, nonetheless.
What’s on your mind as you approach becoming an Ohio State graduate?
It’s a bittersweet moment. It really is crazy how fast four years can go. I’m looking forward to the future and am excited to stay involved with CFAES, and to have an outside perspective of watching how CFAES grows. But I have had some bittersweet thoughts because this time is coming to an end.
How can alumni support students and the college as a whole?
I would love to see more events where alumni are interacting with current students because alumni have this very unique position where they could provide wisdom and insight to current students.
What do you see as CFAES’ role within the university?
What is the perception of CFAES among non-CFAES students? CFAES is the cornerstone college, so it’s a college that other colleges can look to for insight and inspiration. In terms of our college’s perception from those outside the college, I feel like most of them honestly have never been on this side of the river, and maybe have the perception that it’s only students who have a strong agricultural background. And for me, that’s not true. I come from a very nontraditional ag background, so I feel that is a common misperception.