Hi, I'm Ryan Walrath, and I'm a fisheries and wildlife major from Primrose (Neb.) in the School of Natural Resources.

I chose a major in natural resources at UNL because it's one of the best schools in the state with a natural resources emphasis. In addition, I grew up hunting, fishing and camping with my family and developed a strong affection for the natural world that way. I was also involved in 4-H, in which I participated in a tree-identification contest, and in FFA (former Future Farmers of America) in high school.

During my time in the School, I've been an Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences (UCARE) scholar and am the current treasurer of the UNL Wildlife Club. Being in that student organization has been really great. My UCARE research with Professor Trish Freeman was titled "Interspecific cranial variations and age determination in Cynomys ludovicianus (the black-tailed prairie dog)." I'm also going on to become a second-year UCARE scholar.

I've found the professors in the School are definitely interested in you as a person. There's a great deal of one-on-one time, and they recognize you out of class and say "Hello." They take time for students who want help with outside-of-class issues too.

My associations with other students in the School should produce good connections later on in my career. They also help now too because you always have someone to hang out with and study with. They like to study in groups, which is a big help.

After graduation, I'm planning on going to graduate school.