Homecoming 2015. Perfect tailgating weather. Great food. Friends and family. But not just the usual friends and family you see at tailgates. Old friends and family appearing as proud alumni. Homecoming is the one time you can count on seeing all your favorites in one place.

I took ACE 341 with Professor Paul Stoddard and Academic Advisor Jessa Barnard the first eight weeks of the school year. The class focused on various alumni coming back to tell us about their companies they work for now, how they got there since graduation, and advice about what we can do when looking for careers. Some of the speakers I knew from various groups and clubs I have been a part of on campus, including my professional agricultural sorority, Sigma Alpha.

Being sisters is an easy connection, but also being ACE majors makes it so much stronger. I always knew I would get close with some alumni, but I have found that I look up more to the ACE majors that are still active with us on campus. Homecoming was when those connections really stood out to me. During the weekend, I was asked about old and current ACE professors, ACE classes, old traditions, what I am involved in, and just how campus is since they have been here. When alumni can relate to you because of your major, it makes the connection that much better. Seeing all these accomplished alumni from ACE gives me the reassurance that I am doing everything I can do to succeed just like them!