Each week, we showcase one of our CAHNRS Ambassadors, a student leadership organization that encourages students to pursue higher education and serves as a liaison between the college and the greater community. This week, we’re featuring Tyler Wildman, a junior from Eugene, Oregon.
What are you studying?
I’m majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science.
Favorite Show/Movie:
The Ranch
Favorite Cougar Tradition:
One of my favorite things about Cougar traditions is getting to start new ones. WSU has over 300+ registered student organizations which all cover a range of interests. There are clubs focused on professional development, academic interests, hobbies, sports, recreation, and more. Through CAHNRS, I was able to start my own club during my first year here that allowed my friends and I to explore the world of fields trials and share our appreciation of the American Kennel Club (AKC) sporting dog breed. As a club, we are working on starting our own traditions and working to incorporate current Cougar traditions into our activities. It has been an incredible experience learning not only how to start up an organization, but to lead it as well.
Favorite CAHNRS Commodity:
One of my favorite things about winters in Pullman is that the weather is perfect for hearty comfort dishes. When it starts to snow, I love to stop by the WSU Meat Lab sale and pick up whole oxtail. I make a roasted oxtail stew that I slow cook all day while in class. There is nothing like coming home to a fully prepared, delicious meal when the weather is chilly. Keeps me warm, comfortable, and full while working on my class assignments.
Why be a CAHNRS Coug?
I originally chose CAHNRS as a transfer student from an Oregon community college. They offered the major I was interested in and, after meeting with an ambassador, I was sold on the CAHNRS community. I have come to realize that CAHNRS is the college of hands on learning; the part of CAHNRS that I love the most. Classes and labs are designed to give you the experience of real-world situations, not just in-class simulations that don’t represent careers. Clubs and student organizations are meant to foster student independence and cooperation. Overall, being a CAHNRS Coug isn’t about the grades on homework or tests. It’s not just about showing up for lab. CAHNRS is about really getting your hands dirty and learning first-hand how the real-world works. This is real preparation; this is CAHNRS.
Best Student Experience:
My best student experience has been connecting and working with professors around campus. Meeting with them to discuss real world applications of class material, as well as possible research opportunities, has opened new passions and ideas in my studies. Coming from a community college, I had a general idea of where I wanted to go with my education. It wasn’t until I met with these incredible professors that I really began to find passion within my studies.
CAHNRS Taught Me:
My CAHNRS classes have given me the hands-on experience in utilizing techniques, knowledge and equipment that are all used throughout my industry. These skills are necessary to reach my future career aspirations. The faculty within CAHNRS have shown me how to understand what I am learning in the classroom to apply it to the field. These skills of transferring valuable knowledge from the classroom to the “outside” world is what inspires me to keep pursing my education. I have a long way to go until I am finished with learning, but I know that the additional experience that CAHNRS provided me will make a major difference in my future.