Posted: 10/26/2020
Student Spotlight: Chase Giese
Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas
Major: Fisheries and Wildlife – Zoo Animal Care
Anticipated date of graduation: Spring 2021
Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln?
I am extremely interested in snakes and other reptiles, and none of my local Kansas colleges had great major options in that field. I heard that UNL had a great fisheries and wildlife program and wanted to look into it. One of my first college visits to UNL included a tour of the Herpetology Lab with Dennis Ferraro. It was only supposed to be a 30-minute tour, but we were there for about an hour and a half, because I was so interested in all of the reptiles he had. I made my decision to come to Nebraska shortly after that trip.
What is your favorite thing about the School of Natural Resources?
All the SNR faculty and staff are absolutely amazing. All of the professors are extremely likeable and treat you like an actual person and a friend rather than just a student. They truly care about your life outside of college as well as in class. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the world’s two greatest advisors in Sara Winn and Elyse Watson, who have helped me in more ways than I can count.
What is your favorite class you have taken so far and why?
As a reptile-lover, I have enjoyed Herpetology with Dennis Ferraro. Dennis is a super charismatic professor, and you can tell he loves teaching as much as he enjoys the reptiles he takes care of. Its also great to have a whole class devoted to learning about my passion.
What is life like outside of school? In what ways have you gotten involved in the SNR or university communities?
I like UNL because Its close enough for me to drive home on some weekends, but while I am here, I love to play intramural indoor soccer, racquetball, and golf. I also love cheering on the Cornhusker football and women’s volleyball teams.
What are your plans post-graduation?
I plan on becoming a zookeeper and eventually the curator over the reptile area at a zoo. I have had an internship at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo and was accepted for an internship at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Both of these internships are excellent stepping-stones on the way to getting a job in a zoo, and I couldn’t have done any of it without the help and guidance from the amazing SNR staff.