Black History: Clarence Banks & Ciasha Hickerson

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources celebrates leaders in our college and Michigan State University who built a legacy now and in the past.

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Clarence Banks

Then: Clarence Banks

Clarence Banks majored in dairy science and received his bachelor’s of science degree in 1926 from Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science. After graduating, Banks joined the faculty of the Mechanical, Technical and Industrial School in Bordertown, New Jersey.

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Ciasha Hickerson

Now: Ciasha Hickerson

Ciasha Hickerson graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science in 2020. She focused on a pre-veterinary concentration. While at MSU, Hickerson was part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in the Department of Animal Science, the MSU Animal Welfare Club and the MSU Chapter of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.

Following graduation, Hickerson worked for a year with Cargill at a beef processing plant in Fresno, California. She currently is a veterinary student in the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London in London, England.

“I think that he (Clarence Banks) had to be very persistent and dedicated. Dairy science had to be his passion to endure all the challenges that were thrown his way.” - Ciasha Hickerson

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