For the first time since 2023, a CFANS student is on the University of Minnesota Homecoming Court this year! We caught up with Antonio Becker about what he’s looking forward to for Homecoming week, advice for his fellow students, and why he chose CFANS.
Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background; what keeps you busy both on and off campus?
My name is Antonio Becker. I'm a senior studying animal science with an emphasis on poultry and exotic animals. I grew up in Little Falls, Minnesota, and joined 4-H in third grade, which sparked my excitement for working with animals. I also work at Safari North Wildlife Park in Brainerd, Minnesota, where I get to care for and work with over 100 different species of animals, from lions and tigers to freshwater fish, birds, and reptiles. On campus, I’m a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and the UMN Poultry Club.
Can you share some words of wisdom with your fellow students?
I’m really passionate about youth mental health. After eighth grade I switched from a small private school to a big public school and really struggled with body image and mental health, and ended up with several eating disorders. 4-H really helped me recover from that by connecting me with my closest friends who have been really supportive, and have continued to be there for me here during college. At the end of the day, I learned my worth is not determined by the numbers on a scale or measuring tape, or by the amount of achievements that you get or the amount of awards or titles, but by those friends that you have closest with you. It's so important to be able to talk about mental health, especially because mental health can look so different person to person.
Why CFANS?
It really started through connections in 4-H and FFA. A state FFA officer encouraged me to tour the Twin Cities campus. When I visited, I met some students from Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity who were involved in agriculture and animal science. I felt so welcomed by the students on the St. Paul campus and excited about what was going on here. CFANS gives you that close-knit, small-town feeling on the St. Paul campus, but with all the opportunities of a major university. Professors know me by name, and they know what I’m interested in.
What are you looking forward to most about Homecoming week?
My favorite part of any experience is connecting with people, and Homecoming offers a chance to bring campus communities together — especially connecting the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. I'm particularly excited for the Homecoming Blood Drive. It's a chance to lead by example and encourage student groups across campus to give back. I’m also excited for Celebrity Bingo, that’s always really fun.