Staff writer
Marion High School 2010 graduate Ryan Jones planned to study mechanical engineering at Kansas State University. He had already toured the campus when a friend told him about an interesting alternative — milling science.
When Jones looked into milling science, he discovered it has a lot in common with engineering. Both programs use a lot of math and science.
“Math and science are my two strongest areas,” Jones said.
He was also interested in milling science because of family history in agriculture, Jones said.
The job opportunities for milling science helped sway his decision, he said. K-State has the only milling science program in the world, and more jobs are available than there are graduates to fill them. Most milling science students have a job lined up before graduation, Jones said.
Milling science is in the Department of Grain Science and Industry in the College of Agriculture at K-State. Jones will go Thursday to Manhattan to enroll in his fall classes.
He will arrive on campus just in time to help celebrate the department’s centennial. The Department of Grain Science and Industry was established in 1910, and a centennial celebration will be Oct. 2.
Jones will spend his first two years taking general education and introductory classes, to help determine if he wants to remain in milling science. After the first two years, he will get into more specific milling science classes.
Milling science is itself divided into two main areas: operations/business or chemistry. Most students emphasizing chemistry earn a minor in chemistry, Jones said.
He plans to be involved in Milling Science Club during his time at K-State.
Mark and Pam Jones of Marion are his parents.