Christopher D. Baird
Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Agricultural Systems Management
Springfield, OH
2021 Distinguished Senior Award Celebration Program (.pdf)
2021 Distinguished Senior Award Recipient Poster (.pdf)
Chris Baird was proud to share how valuable his two internship opportunities have been. He worked as a Field Research Intern with Buckeye Ag Testing, a local contract research organization in Troy, Ohio, which helped him to develop analytical skills and vastly improve his understanding of agricultural chemical programs. He ventured a little farther from home to Ames, Iowa, to work as a Precision Agronomy Intern with Ag Leader Technology. This position allowed Chris to see more of the business side of agriculture, and also how alike and different things can be in another part of the country. Both internships gave him a chance to put what he had learned in the classroom to use while expanding his knowledge.
Chris traveled abroad his freshman year to Queensland, Australia, to study human impacts on the natural environment. Although in unfamiliar territory, being there exposed him to new information and ideas and allowed him to see the world in a different light. In addition to gaining a wealth of knowledge on this trip, he was also able to participate in great service activities, meet amazing people, and have some unbelievable adventures.
The experience that has given Chris the greatest sense of accomplishment was being chosen to represent the university as a Sesquicentennial Scholar. During the 2019-2020 school year, this program was a part of the 150th anniversary celebration of the university’s founding. From across the student body, 150 students were selected to receive a scholarship and participate in a development program, as well as serve at university celebration and advancement events.
After graduation, Chris will be returning to Clark County to help manage his family’s grain farm and will be working for an aerial imagery and analysis company called Aerial Plot as a drone pilot.
Chris recognized Dr. Andrew “Dewey” Mann as his faculty mentor. Chris shared, “I met Dr. Dewey Mann very early in my academic career, as he is the advisor for the Agricultural Systems Management Club. Finally, Dewey served as my supervisor after he took on a new role at Waterman and encouraged me to seek out employment there when I was looking for jobs on campus. It has been a privilege to work for Dewey, as he is the kind of person to get the best out of the people he works with without [making] demands. Not only has Dewey been an excellent advisor and mentor, he has made it very clear to all that know him that he really cares about the people around him, whether it be students or employees, and that he will do all within his ability to help others succeed.”
Service, involvement, and accolades: Agricultural Systems Management Club, social media manager, vice president | Crops and Soils Club | Romophos Sophomore Class Honorary, service committee co-chair | Bucket and Dipper Junior Class Honorary, service committee co-chair | Sesquicentennial Scholars Program | Buck-I-Serv: North Carolina Coastal Federation (NC) | Rizoma Field School (Colonia, Uruguay) | Columbus Refugee and Immigration Service | Mid-Ohio Foodbank | Ohio AgrAbility