CANR Alumni Board Spotlight – Erwin “Duke” Elsner, Ph.D.
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EmailCANR is releasing a series of spotlights on Alumni Board members. Erwin “Duke” Elsner, Ph.D. , (Entomology, '79 B.S., '82 M.S.) is currently an Executive Board member representing Entomology.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) has nearly 60,000 alumni living around the world. The CANR Alumni Board plays a critical role connecting this large and diverse alumni community to meaningful ways to engage with the college after graduation.
The mission of the CANR Alumni Board is to build relationships that serve the college, alumni, students and friends of MSU. The board consists of volunteer members representing each of the college departments, MSU Extension, young alumni and at-large members. These members meet four times a year: September, December, March and July in East Lansing.
Alumni Board members have a variety of responsibilities, including promoting college events and philanthropic opportunities. They also serve as liaisons between the college, academic departments, alumni, and the agriculture and natural resources industries, among other duties. The work of the Alumni Board helps to keep the CANR community vibrant and connect.
CANR is releasing a series of spotlights on Alumni Board members. These stories will highlight each member's motivation for joining the board and share their experiences in this role.
Erwin "Duke" Elsner, Ph.D. (Entomology, '79 B.S., '82 M.S.) is currently an Executive Board member representing the Department of Entomology. He is a retired MSU Extension Educator Emeritus who served from 1990 to 2019.
How did your experience at CANR set you up for success in your career after graduation?
My undergraduate years in the MSU Department of Entomology occurred when the department was still part of the College of Natural Science, so technically I am an alumnus of that college. However, I had interactions with Entomologists that were jointly appointed in the MSU Cooperative Extension Service (now MSU Extension), and my work with them was quite useful throughout my graduate studies at MSU, the Pennsylvania State University, a post-doctoral position with Washington State University and employment in Extension positions with Rutgers University and MSU Extension.
What inspired you to become a CANR Alumni Board member?
For many years I had participated in the summer golf outing fundraiser, and the Autumn Fest program. I joined mainly to become part of the team that put on those events.
What advice do you have for CANR current students?
Take your time to finish your degree, exploring a wider breadth of classes than the minimum required courses. Also, get to know your instructors; each one of them can help you explore and achieve the future you want.
How would you encourage other CANR alumni to get involved and connect with the college?
Join the CANR Alumni Board if you get the chance. Arrange to meet board members. Visit your departments and meet the current students and faculty. You’ll be amazed at how much has changed, even if you’re only a few years out from graduation.
What has been your most memorable or rewarding experience while serving on the board?
Serving as a reviewer of student scholarship applications has been an especially rewarding experience.
Learn more about the responsibilities and mission of the CANR Alumni Board and its members. To learn more about how you can get involved or serve on the CANR Alumni Board, please contact the CANR Advancement team.
