Timothy Haley

Timothy (Tim) Haley, a 5th year agricultural economics major from Jackson, Georgia, spent 12 weeks during the summer of 2004 as a Washington, D.C. intern working in the office of Senator Saxby Chambliss. His duties in Washington varied greatly from research to constituent work. Tim's work included writing letters, attending briefings, attending staff functions, and conducting tours. Tim stated, "I was given the unique opportunity to gain an insider's view into the complex world of American government." Through his work on agricultural issues, Tim was given the opportunity to meet the leaders of the nation's agricultural community. He also met various law makers, including Senator Chambliss, Senator Zell Mill, and a number of representatives. A huge UGA football fan, Tim was very excited to meet one of the true legends of Georgia Football, Joe Tereshinski, Sr., and enjoyed hearing about his "gridiron glory." While in Washington, Tim attempted to keep himself occupied with all that the capital city has to offer. During the work week, he regularly attended after-work social gatherings hosted by various interest groups. Tim also took advantage of the opportunity to meet a variety of people from all over the United States and spent much of his leisure time with his new friends. On weekends, Tim visited the many historical sites around Washington, spending hours at the monuments and museums that make the city famous. He stayed quite busy throughout the summer and left Washington with great memories. His summer in Washington was the pinnacle of Tim's undergraduate career. He will remember the experience for the rest of his life. Tim commented, "This summer has made me more aware of how politics affect each and every one of us. This will make me a better voter, a better citizen, and a better person."

Tim is a member of the AGHON Honor Society, Brass Gavel Honor Society, and a 2004 Rotary Top Twelve recipient. He served on the Ag Hill Council as 2003-2004 president and 2002-2003 CAES vice-president. He served as a CAES Ambassador in 2002-2004, a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, an Orientation Leader in 2003, on the President's Council, the Student Life Advisory Committee, and the Georgia Recruitment Team. Throughout his college career, Tim has volunteered with the Oconee County 4-H Program. He has also participated in the Angel Food Program which distributes food to needy families, and he is a member of Towaliga Baptist Church in Jackson. In his leisure time, Tim enjoys sports and outdoor recreation such as flag football, softball, racquetball, tennis, golf, hunting, canoeing, and fishing.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Tim plans to attend law school. He had planned to either work in government or in a small town practice; however, after his experiences as a Washington intern, he is considering another option. Tim states, "Never before had politics entered my mind; but after this summer, things have changed. I can definitely see myself returning to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in politics."

Kara Kirchoff

Kara with friends in New Zealand

Kara Kirchoff, an agribusiness major in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, is from Conyers, Georgia. She plans an early graduation in December 2004 after only three and one half years at the university. In the summer of 2004, she studied in New Zealand for 5 weeks and in Fiji for 9 days. In New Zealand, she took classes at the Polytechnic in Christchurch where she learned about natural resource use and conservation in New Zealand. Class discussions involved conflicts over usage and control of resources as the country strives to keep a clean, green image worldwide. The last 2 weeks of the New Zealand trip concentrated on field studies around the South Island. The class visited many national parks and conservation areas, experiencing all types of weather conditions, as well as a wide variety of accommodations. This was Kara's favorite part of the trip. She states, "The countryside is unbelievable and the culture is very inviting." With her class, Kara hiked hundreds of trails around the island, kayaked in the Tasman Sea, climbed a glacier, and even went skydiving (which was optional). The following 9 days were spent in Fiji, a small island off the Pacific. Kara and her classmates first visited Suva, Fiji and attended the University of South Pacific for some introductory classes about the island nation. The remainder of the trip included a 7 hour boat ride to a small uninhabited island where the group stayed in small grass huts and lived with no electricity. The island was beautiful and rich in marine life. Kara and her classmates traveled to other surrounding islands and visited the village people where the group was welcomed with a traditional Kava ceremony andcelebration. Kara added, "It was very interesting to interact with this island culture and learn how they survive so far away from themainland. It was like going back in time."

Kara in Fiji

Kara's schedule is full! She has worked in the department as a student worker for three years and is active in numerous extracurricular and volunteer activities. Her duties as a student worker include mass mailings of newsletters, working as a receptionist, banquet coordination, recruitment of new Agribusiness students, and working on other assigned projects. She is vice-president for Agribusiness of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club, with duties in the recruitment of new members and event coordination, including the Conner Connects Banquet. She is in Intramural Tennis and UGA Tennis Ladder. In addition, she volunteers for Empty Stocking Funds, Adopt-A-Highway – Milledge Avenue and church fund-raisers.When she has leisure time, Kara enjoys camping, hiking, sports and spending time with friends and family. She hopes to find employment in the food and fiber marketing field after graduation. At some future time, Kara plans to pursue a graduate degree.

Joel McKie

Joel McKie, a 4th year agribusiness major from Abbeville, Georgia, spent 10 weeks during the summer of 2004 as an intern for the public policy team of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in Washington, D.C. His duties involved political and economic research, attending meetings on public policy issues, and engaging in various activities to help him further understand the scope of AFBA's advocacy and influence. Joel's time in Washington was a "truly eye-opening, positive experience" which further convinced him that a career in agricultural policy development and advocacy would be an exciting and fulfilling occupation. He commented on the "intense partisan nature of Washington and that this is further exacerbated by an election year." While in Washington, Joel made friends with people from throughout the United States and was able to build good relationships with the people he worked with at AFBF. In his leisure time, Joel visited the White House, the new WWII Memorial, the American History Museum, and the Natural History Museum. He also visited local hangouts including Georgetown, Adam's Morgan, and Chinatown. One weekend, he went with some friends to Annapolis and Baltimore and watched the Braves defeat the Orioles. Joel states, "I would highly recommend that all CAES students explore ways to gain valuable professional experience out of the State of Georgia during their undergraduate experience. Living and working outside our comfort zone and a different culture provide great opportunities for personal growth."

Joel is the recipient of the CAES Alumni Association's 2004 Rising Star Award which recognizes a member of the junior class who has excelled in leadership and scholarship activities. He has earned an extraordinary 4.0 GPA and has exhibited leadership qualities on a national and local level. Joel served as the 2002 - 2003 National Future Farmers of American (FFA) Southern Region Vice President. He was elected to that position after serving as the 2000 - 2001 Georgia FFA President. Before serving as an officer in FFA, Joel received the American FFA Degree, the organization's highest level of accomplishment. He also served as his freshman class president, SGA Parliamentarian, and Ambassador Parliamentarian at ABAC. Joel is currently serving as vice-president of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club and as a CAES Ambassador. He is a member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Alpha Zeta Honor Society, National FFA Alumni Association, and the Georgia Young Farmers Association.

Joel's parents, Eddie and Kay McKie, have a farm in Abbeville, Georgia, where Joel grew up with his brother, Philip, who is a first year agriculture teacher. His father worked as an FFA advisor and is currently involved in promoting agricultural education on the state level. In his leisure time, Joel enjoys hunting, spending time with family and friends, being actively involved in church activities, watching college football, golfing, fishing, hunting, and staying informed about happenings on the political scene. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans to attend law school and pursue a career in agricultural policy development and advocacy.

 

Featured Alumni

Kelly G. Hillis

Kelly G. Hillis is president and CEO of the Bank of Perry. He is in charge of all the operations of the bank with a variety of duties. Kelly is a 1980 graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He also graduated from the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking of the South in 1992.

While in college, Kelly was a member of the Agricultural Economics Club, the Agricultural Council and the Student Senate. He had a job almost the entire time he was in college. This required him to budget his time and develop discipline, as well as deal with the public. Kelly offers this advice for students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, "1) The world is not black and white. 2) Listen and observe – a lot more than you talk. 3) Don't be too quick to form a conclusion or become too attached to it. 4) You have nothing more valuable than your honesty and integrity. 5) Do what you say, even if it costs you. 6) If you don't like what you're doing, find something you do like. Success follows happiness."

In addition to his work at the bank, Kelly is a part-time pecan farmer. He and his wife of twenty-four years have raised two children. In his leisure time, Kelly enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening, backpacking, and traveling in the U.S. and abroad.

Caley White

Caley White works as a staff assistant for Representative Max Burns in Washington, D.C. Her primary responsibilities involve constituent services and assisting other staff members. In the summer of 2003, Caley served as a congressional intern for Representative Burns where she attended agricultural committee hearings, wrote memos and performed other office duties. Her experience in Washington was so positive that Caley decided to pursue employment there after college graduation. This led to her current employment as a staff assistant.

Caley graduated in May 2004 from UGA with a degree in Agricultural Economics. While in college, she served as vice president of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club and worked in leadership for Campus Crusade. She is an Athens native and taught three-year-olds at the Prince Avenue Baptist Church. She worked the entire time she was in college and especially enjoyed her time as a congressional intern. Caley stated, "I would encourage everybody to apply for this internship. I learned so much and had so much fun." She also wants to encourage current students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics to "be as involved as possible." She regrets not having been more involved in clubs, especially clubs on "Ag Hill."

In her leisure time, Caley enjoys reading and touring Washington, D.C. One of her favorite places is the Arlington Cemetery. She especially enjoys The Arlington House, Robert E. Lee's home-place, which sits on a hill with a view of the entire city.