Outstanding Senior Adelaide Easter

Major: Agricultural Economics, with a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership

Graduation year: 2025

Truman Scholar Adelaide Easter is one of K-State’s 2025 Outstanding Seniors, recognized for her leadership across campus.

Why did you choose K-State, the College of Agriculture and your major?

I chose the College of Agriculture because I wanted to be surrounded by a community of supportive faculty, staff and students that would challenge me to think differently about the world around me. The hands-on experiences that the college gave me are invaluable and have helped me be confident in making positive differences in the global food system.

I studied agricultural economics because I wanted to better understand the systems and policies surrounding our global food system, and how they affect productivity, hunger, poverty, trade, and global development. I wanted to be able to understand and connect concepts, like how economic decisions and markets play a role in why hunger still exists, despite the sheer abundance of food.

What organizations were you involved in, and what impact did they have on you?

Many of the organizations I was involved in centered around one of three themes: food security, community engagement or leadership. Through the Food Security Scholars program, I helped facilitate discussions about the complex cycle of hunger and poverty, and its impact on local, state, national and global levels.

One of the most transformative experiences I had was being a Flinghbaugh Food and Agriculture Policy Fellow. I advocated for state-wide farmers while working for Kansas Grain Sorghum, and interned in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. to contribute to agriculture, nutrition and rural development policy. This fellowship showed me a path in public service that I am now pursuing today!Lastly, as an Office of Engagement intern for the K-State 105 Initiative, I traveled across the state documenting the main challenges Kansans are facing. This was used to inform K-State’s new strategic plan to become a next-generation land-grant university. This experience affirmed to me that I want my future work to remain community-centered.

What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at K-State?

I am most proud of the work I did with the Cats’ Cupboard food pantry, which sees an average of 300 students daily. I was able to help secure the pantry’s first stream of sustainable funding through student government! I also worked on several initiatives to support low-income, food-insecure students, like getting funds for free public transportation or helping students apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

What does being recognized as an Outstanding Senior mean to you?

As someone who didn’t grow up in agriculture, being recognized as an Outstanding Senior for the College of Agriculture is incredibly humbling. I wouldn’t have had the experiences I did in college without the support of my peers, mentors, professors and the supportive community found at K-State. I hope that my experience shows anyone passionate about making a difference in the global food system can do so, regardless of their background or experience.