Gracie Stout’s longtime passion for agriculture has become fully realized at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
A senior in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Stout grew up on a cow/calf and backgrounding feedlot operation near Burwell. She was always surrounded by cattle and horses and drawn to participate in 4-H and FFA programs.
Those involvements and family — including an older sister who earned a degree in animal science from UNL — led Stout to Nebraska U.
“I visited UNL and fell in love with East Campus,” Stout said. “I knew this would be my home for the next four years.”
Her campus experience has included active involvement in Sigma Alpha sorority and the Rodeo Club — but it hasn’t been 100% an easy ride. Stout struggled to find the perfect major and, during her sophomore year, she turned to campus supports for assistance.
“With the help of advisers and university staff, I was able to find my place within (the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication),” Stout said. “It was a life-changing moment. This department has shaped me into the woman I am today.”
Through her classes, campus opportunities and connections, and internships, Stout landed her dream job. After earning her Bachelor of Science in agricultural and environmental sciences on Dec. 17, Stout will start working as the communication and marketing manager at Country Partners Cooperative in Ord — only a handful of miles down the road from her hometown.
The community-focused job will include developing the cooperative’s website, advancing company branding, promoting its work, and outreach through social media channels.
“Because of ALEC, I found an internship with Frontier Cooperative, that led me to find my dream job,” Stout said. “ALEC will always have a piece of my heart and has done everything to prepare me for my life after college.”
And, Stout knows that ALEC team and its support network will be in her corner moving forward.
“I know that I will be able to reach out to any professor I had while here and that they would help me with whatever I need,” Stout said. “The connections I made at UNL will forever guide me in my career.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of obtaining a bachelor’s degree. The university has granted me opportunities and friends that I will forever cherish.”
