Garrett Lister: 2024 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award Recipient

When Garrett Lister received the call that he had been named the College of Agriculture's 2024 Outstanding Young Alumnus, he was caught off guard.

“It was really an honor just to find out I’d been nominated,” Lister shared. “I didn’t see it coming. I looked through some of the past winners and realized these are people I've looked up to. It was a huge honor.”

For those who know Lister, the award is a testament to his dedication to the university and the agriculture community he’s been part of for years.

Lister’s ties to Kansas State University run deep. Growing up in a family of Wildcats, he always knew where he was headed.

“My dad and his siblings went to K-State and I never thought I’d go anywhere else,” he said. The university has been a constant in his life, from an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics to earning his master’s and building a meaningful career in risk management.

His journey in Agricultural Economics began with a pivotal class.

“I took the intro class with Dr. Barkley and it just clicked,” he said. That initial spark led him to pursue a master’s degree through K-State’s concurrent program, allowing him to dive into research on feeder cattle pricing; knowledge that would become foundational in his role at Innovative Livestock Services.

“It was a natural progression—one thing led to another and I ended up here,” he reflected. “It was always about following my questions.”

Being named Outstanding Young Alumnus offered Lister the chance to reconnect with the university community in a new way.

“I hope alumni continue to come back, give back and get to know the next generation,” he said. “There are so many brilliant young minds at K-State. It’s great to see their passion and share a little bit of my story with them.”

Mentorship has been a key part of Lister’s continued connection to K-State. He has supported students, particularly through his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho, guiding them to find their own paths.

“Building a network is important, but what’s even more crucial is building a community,” he shared. “These are the people who are in your corner, no matter what.”

Lister’s appreciation for his K-State experience is evident.

“Every time I come back, I’m reminded of why I love this place,” he says.

He is committed to helping current students feel that same sense of belonging. “It’s about being part of something bigger, and that’s what K-State has always been to me.”

As he looks ahead, Lister is focused on nurturing these connections and inspiring others to carry on the university’s legacy of community and support.