Weatherspoon recognized nationally as faculty mentor role model
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EmailDr. Dave Weatherspoon, professor in AFRE, was recognized at the 15th Minority Access National Role Models Conference in Washington, D.C., in October 2014.
Dr. Dave Weatherspoon, professor in AFRE, was recognized at the 15th Minority Access National Role Models Conference in Washington, D.C., in October 2014 for his efforts in advancing the recruitment, mentoring and retention of underrepresented students in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR).
Dave’s nomination for this prestigious award read as follows: “Dr. Weatherspoon has been dedicated throughout his academic career to mentoring, recruiting and providing research opportunities for first-generation students. Dr. Weatherspoon’s efforts were recognized in 2010 with the Legend Award from the Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources Association, the premier organization that identifies and promotes talent and networking in the areas of agriculture, natural resources and related sciences.
Dr. Weatherspoon was the founder of this national organization 30 years ago as an undergraduate student at MSU who was concerned about the on-campus climate and perceived lack of support for students of color. Dr. Weatherspoon has mentored numerous non-traditional students at Michigan State University and Florida A&M University, where he began his academic career. In addition to recruiting, he routinely accepts high school and undergraduate summer research students into his research program to garner firsthand experiences to better understand the economics and business of the food and fiber system.
Offering these experiences is germane to Dr. Weatherspoon’s goal of increasing the number of minorities in Ph.D. programs in agricultural economics because the lack of a significant mass in this important field of study has major implications for food access, health, as well as global trade and development. Beyond his academic field, he also mentors several MSU student athletes and advises them on academics and life skills needed to succeed in college.”
