For Brian Troyer, supporting MSU’s new Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center wasn't simply a philanthropic decision. It was an investment in an institution that has shaped his career and connection to Michigan's dairy industry.
A two-time College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) graduate, Troyer has spent much of his career working at the intersection of dairy production and education. His recent gift to the new facility reflects both gratitude and confidence in the CANR’s ability to prepare the next generation of dairy leaders.
"The college has done a lot for me," Troyer said. "I've got two degrees from here, and it influenced pretty much my whole life. I've worked for the university, managed a teaching farm, worked in the agricultural industry for more than 20 years, and MSU has always been in the background."
A lifelong connection to dairy and MSU
Troyer's ties to agriculture began long before he arrived on campus. Raised on a dairy farm, he grew up milking cows and participating in an industry that would ultimately become his life's work. Along the way, MSU remained a constant presence.
He remembers his father attending MSU Extension meetings and eagerly seeking out presentations by dairy specialist Clint Meadows. Years later, when Troyer pursued graduate studies in the Department of Animal Science, Meadows served on his committee, creating a meaningful connection between two generations of dairy producers.
Source : msu.edu