Four Northeastern Junior College students were recently honored for their academic accomplishments and leadership. Erin Williams and Kellum Carnahan, recipients of Colorado Community College System’s Student Excellence Rising Star award, and Jada Thurber and Faythe Eichler, Phi Theta Kappa All-Colorado Scholars, were recognized at the Student Excellence Awards Banquet, held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, on April 10.
Erin Williams
Williams is a sophomore from Fresno, Calif., currently studying liberal arts. She is also a member of the NJC women’s basketball team. In her free time, Williams enjoys reading, cooking, and writing music, most of all, playing basketball.
Her career goals include becoming a music songwriter and producer. After NJC, Erin plans to attend a four-year university to study business or marine biology. She is extremely passionate about ocean cleaning causes that manage to lessen the pollution in the ocean and care for the animals in that environment.
Kellum Carnahan
Carnahan is a sophomore from Julesburg, currently studying animal science and agriculture business. He is also a member of the NJC livestock judging team and was recently featured on the NJC episode of “The College Tour” TV series. Carnahan enjoys looking at livestock, singing, playing and creating his own country and worship music, and raising cattle. In his free time, he participates in both the College Farm Bureau and NJC Aggies and is part of the worship team for the campus ministry, The Source.
After NJC, he plans to attend Kansas State University to further pursue his animal science and ag business degree as well as continue his judging career. For his long-term career goals, Carnahan plans to pursue a livestock judging coach position at the college or university level after he receives his master’s degree with a long-term goal of raising registered Angus cattle in hopes of making the beef industry more efficient and profitable for the commercial rancher.
When asked what he is most passionate about, Carnahan said, “One of my biggest goals in life is to inspire the people around me to be the best version of themselves they can. I love coaching livestock judging and am passionate about spreading the love of Christ to the world.” He also graciously volunteers his time as an assistant coach for the Phillips County 4H Judging Team and the NJC freshman judging team.
Jada Thurber
Thurber is from Rigby, Idaho, and is an active member of the livestock judging team and Phi Theta Kappa, while double majoring in agriculture business and animal science. Her interests include livestock, business and economics. When she is not traveling the country competing at collegiate livestock judging contests, she enjoys riding horses, golfing and spending time with her family and friends.
After NJC, Thurber plans to continue her education to receive a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business with a minor in accounting, and ultimately a master’s degree in ag business. Career-wise, her goals include working as a loan officer for a farm credit bank and she would love to start her own business in the livestock industry.
Thurber states, “I will always advocate for agriculture. Agricultural industries truly bring everything together; the world cannot live without it. A world without agriculture would be miserable; there would be no food, clothing, and many other necessities. An industry that feeds you is an industry worth fighting for.”
Faythe Eichler
Eichler is from Gypsum, Colo., and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the NJC Aggies Club, while double majoring in agriculture business and animal science. Her interests include anything agriculture-related, volunteering, and shopping. She also loves to attend livestock shows and help younger kids with their livestock projects.
After graduating from NJC, she plans to attend the University of Wyoming to receive her bachelor’s degree in agriculture business. Eichler actively volunteers through Phi Theta Kappa and the Aggies Club. She has helped collect canned food for the canned food drive and assists with the Aggies Blood Drive each semester. She also helped with the annual Aggies Oyster Fry and will help advocate for agriculture during National Ag Appreciation Week.
Eichler states, “I am extremely passionate about agriculture and making sure people know just how important it is to the world. I also like to make sure that the livestock industry does not continue to get a bad name like some people think it has.”
To support NJC students, go to njc.edu/foundation or call 970-521-6777. Every tax deductible donation has an impact, big or small
