The College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences provides beneficial educational opportunities for students at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Consisting of agriculture, geosciences, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and military science, these diverse areas of study set our students up for success, whether they are undergraduate, graduate, or even continuing education students.

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, students, faculty and staff joined together at the annual College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences cookout in front of Brehm Hall. From free food, fellowship, prizes and more, this year’s cookout had a record-breaking attendance with over 15 student clubs/organizations, around 270 students, and countless members of our beloved faculty and staff – even retired faculty who once worked within the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and still care so deeply for our program.

When asked about her experiences at this year’s cookout, Dr. Sandy Melhorn, Professor of Agricultural Engineering Technology, described the event as a great networking opportunity. “We had a huge turnout, the faculty served the food to the students, and it was amazing seeing a lot of our students,” she said. These kinds of experiences cultivate meaningful connections and allow not only for students within the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences to feel more at home, but also allow for those who might not know about what opportunities the college has to offer to become more informed.

“This cookout allows for students to get together, communicate, and mingle with individuals whether within their own major, valuable club leaders, or our very own professors,” said Riley Adsmond, a freshman studying agribusiness. Admond added that the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences puts a unique emphasis on collaboration and allows students to not just study for a degree but leave UT Martin with invaluable friendships.

There is no doubt that college, whether starting for the first time as a freshman or diving into the final year as a senior, can be very daunting. Whether coming from a different state, region within Tennessee, or even living only a few minutes away from home, every experience within college looks different for each of our students here at UT Martin. Sometimes it’s not just getting assignments done or battling the student parking lot that worries our students, but rather finding a community that truly makes them feel at home in a place that often doesn’t feel like home yet.

“Being a part of the CAAS feels like being a part of a family and I truly feel connected to the campus community because of the CAAS,” said Sydney Campbell, a senior farm and ranch management student. “I know the faculty and staff support me and are willing to help in whatever way they can; this is part of what makes UT Martin feel like home.”

Events like this not only aid our students academically but also emotionally as they embark on the college experience. Ultimately, this cookout not only sets our students up for success but also aids in the betterment of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. With three weeks of the first semester already down, it is events like these that give us hope for the rest of the semester and many years to come.