Celebrating the CFANS Class of 2026
May 13, 2026
The University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) proudly celebrated its Class of 2026 with two ceremonies that honored the achievements, passion, and promise of nearly 600 graduates.
This year’s commencement ceremonies marked the final ceremonies presided by Brian Buhr in his role as CFANS Dean, who concludes his 13-year leadership tenure this summer to return to faculty in the Department of Applied Economics. Reflecting on his return, Buhr noted, "It has been the honor of my career to witness the growth of this College. My time as dean may be ending, but my commitment to this community and the science we do here remains as strong as ever."
Undergraduate Commencement
Held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the 3M Arena at Mariucci, the ceremony began with Dean Buhr welcoming hundreds of graduates (view the program), noting that while none of us succeed alone, their "potential has been the wind at their back." He closed his address with a reflection on resilience by Charles Darwin:
“‘It’s not the strongest species that survives nor the most intelligent, but the ones most resilient and responsive to change.’... Here at the University of Minnesota, we’ve hope you’ve learned to be that change, to be responsive to the change you'll be facing.” — Brian Buhr, CFANS Dean
Undergraduate student speaker Emma Johnson (BS '26), an Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management major and educator at the Bell Museum, shared her perspective on the graduate's unique role:
"As we transition to our next phase of life, different questions begin to emerge. What do I want to do next? Where do I want to live? Who are the people I want to spend my time with? ... We are here for a finite amount of time... In our quest for what's next beyond the deadlines and the milestones, the most important question remains: What will we do with the time we are given?" — Emma Johnson, BS '26
Keynote speaker Della Nyondi Schall Young (BS ’03, MS ’06), CEO of Young Environmental Consulting Group, credits CFANS for helping her find her voice. Young’s address emphasized the importance of self-trust:
"Meaningful work is not just about technical accuracy. It's about relevance. It is about connecting science, agriculture, infrastructure, and natural resources back to people and communities... Trust yourself enough to take initiative. Trust yourself enough to stay curious. Trust yourself enough to lead before you feel completely ready." — Della Nyondi Schall Young, BS '03, MS '06
Watch the Undergraduate Commencement CeremonyView photos from Undergraduate Commencement
Graduate (Master's and PhD) Commencement
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the celebration continued at the Ted Mann Concert Hall for master’s and doctoral students (view the program). Dean Buhr opened the ceremony by emphasizing the profound, global responsibility of their advanced research:
"You're no longer just students of your discipline. You are now the primary stewards of the system that sustain life on this planet... [Your work] determines the nutritional security of a family halfway across the globe. It ensures the resilience of ecosystems facing unprecedented climate pressures." — Brian Buhr, CFANS Dean
Graduate student speaker Susie Strom (MS '25), a U.S. Army veteran and attorney, spoke to the urgency of the graduates' shared mission:
"We at CFANS have been given the tools to not just talk about changing the world. We are actually doing it... We have now been given an urgent mission and the critical responsibility to support scientific integrity and fact-based practices." — Susie Strom, MS '25, Food Science
Keynote speaker Lee Ann Jackson (PhD '01), a global leader in trade and sustainability, offered a "North Star" to the graduates as they enter a complex and delicate global landscape:
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive... Your curiosity and your kindness more than anything else is going to hold this world and this planet together." — Lee Ann Jackson, PhD '01
Watch the Graduate Commencement CeremonyView photos from Graduate Commencement
Congratulations to the entire Class of 2026—we can't wait to see what you do next!
As a graduate of CFANS, you are automatically a part of the CFANS Alumni Society. The CFANS Alumni Society offers opportunities to network with other CFANS Alumni, to provide advice to current CFANS students, and to expand professional experiences.
