Alumni Spotlight

Name: Bill Spiegel

Current Title: Contributing Editor

Organization: John Deere's The Furrow Magazine

Major: B.S. Agricultural Journalism (1993)

K-State College of Ag is proud to recognize alumni from all departments who continue to pursue their passion in their respective fields. It is through experience that we continue to grow as individuals and stewards of the industry. Through those experiences, we hope to be a continued resource for the next generation of K-State students to lean on for advice and continue to build our network!

How did the duality of the agricultural journalism degree play into your career?

Without a degree in agricultural journalism (now ANRC), I probably wouldn’t be writing for farm magazines. The major really was the best of both worlds. I spent a lot of time in the journalism school, as well as in the agriculture school. I loved the diversity. At the time, even though I grew up on a farm, I felt a little more at home with the journalism students because I knew I wanted to work for a rural newspaper. I met my lifelong friends through the College of Agriculture. It’s a different, tight-knit group. A lot of people have the same background, work ethic, goals and objectives. The College of Ag seemed like home to me, too.

What professional writing opportunities did you have at K-State?

When I was in school, if you were an ag communications or ag journalism major, you had to write for The Collegian. I don’t know if it’s still required now, but that was really the only professional-type experience we would get unless we enrolled in the Agriculturist class. It was a great opportunity, not just to add to your resume, but also to receive editing feedback from our peers. It’s not always easy to take constructive criticism while writing for someone. In terms of real-world writing experience, it was one of the first. It was kind of the foundation of my career and something that I’ve taken with me.

What are some highlights about working for the Agriculturist?

Ag communications and ag journalism was a pretty small major. I think we had eight or nine students when I graduated. I remember most of the people in the class, and we were all friends, but I think what I take away from the experience is the time we spent together in the computer lab. There were just one or two machines in Waters Hall, in a dinky, dark room that we shared with a professor. I remember the music we listened to and the conversations we would have. These people became lifelong friends. I admire them, respect them and am proud of what they’ve accomplished. I look back at it with a lot of fondness.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

When I look at the Agriculturist now and see how far it’s come, it’s absolutely amazing. Where Dr. Larry Erpelding and now Lisa Moser have taken the magazine is fascinating. The experience the kids are getting and the leadership students develop goes beyond a great magazine. I look at the Agriculturist from the early 1990s, and I loved our team, but what these young people are doing now is just incredible. The number of stories, the great photography, the layouts and design. We were still in black and white in ‘92 and ‘93, so it’s come a long way.