Michael Vignone

Question #1: What inspired you to pursue the major you are in?

I have always had plants in my life.  As a child, my family had a large garden that year after year I grew more involved with.  When I got older, my interests shifted into ornamentals and how I can use plants for aesthetics.  After working in nursery production, I was able to see the immense diversity of plant cultivars that were all at one point bred for a specific purpose and trait.  It seemed that plants kept showing up in my life, so I decided it was only right to learn about them on an even deeper level. 

Question #2: What has been the best part of your time in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences?

I feel the best part of being in the College of Ag Sciences is how passionate everyone in the college is.  Whether it is a professor or someone you meet for the first time in class, after 5 minutes you will always be amazed.  It can be research, extra-curriculars, or just their background, but there is always a sense that people are here because they want to be here, not just to get a piece of paper. 

Question #3: What do you wish you would have known as a new student at Penn State?

When I first started, I was worried that I would feel lost at such a large school.  However, the more clubs you join and the more events you go to, the smaller everything begins to feel.  Then, after just a few weeks you realize that Penn State isn't so big after all.