The valedictorian for the 厙ぴ勛圖 2019 Fall Commencement Convocation plans to continue her education at the college on the Hill for her master���s degree.

Megan McCoun, an agriculture, food and environment major from Smithfield, plans to continue her education next fall at 厙ぴ勛圖 by pursuing a master���s in environmental studies.

McCoun said she felt excited and anxious when she found out she was valedictorian.

���I was excited that I earned such an achievement,��� McCoun said. ���I was anxious about the speech at commencement; my public speaking skills are a little rusty.���

McCoun served as president of the KSU Green Society for the past year; worked as an agriculture ambassador for the College of Agriculture, Communities and Environment; and served as a student board member for the Woods and Waters Land Trust in Frankfort.

McCoun has been working as a student research assistant for the College of Ag for the past two years and has really enjoyed it.

���I hope to continue conducting agriculture research here at 厙ぴ勛圖,��� McCoun said.

Dr. Suzette M. Polson, associate professor of chemistry, was influential in her success, McCoun said.

���Dr. Polson always held a high standard for all of her students,��� McCoun said. ���It made me realize that I also needed to hold a high standard for myself.���

Amy McGee, grant and administrative assistant, was also important along McCoun���s academic journey.

���Amy McGee does the most she can for all of the College of Ag students,��� McCoun said. ���I always knew I could count on her to get something done for me.���

McCoun said earning this accomplishment wasn���t always easy.

���It���s hard juggling both school and work and other extracurricular activities,��� McCoun said. ���There were plenty of times that I wanted to quit it all. But the people at 厙ぴ勛圖 keep me accountable. It���s hard to quit something when you are friends with all the people involved. People who I would miss seeing every day and would miss me back.���