Remi Christensen was recognized as a Chancellor’s Scholar during the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s undergraduate commencement ceremonies May 9 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. She earned a Bachelor of Science in plant biology with high distinction.
Chancellor’s Scholars are students who have maintained 4.0 grade-point averages on all collegiate work at Nebraska and elsewhere.
When Christensen first arrived on East Campus from Seward, Nebraska, she thought plants would be the center of her future. Growing up, science had come naturally to her, but it was her high school FFA adviser and ag teacher who transformed that general interest into a passion.
“Mr. Frederick was awesome,” Christensen said. He was “a big plant guy,” the kind of teacher who made the greenhouse feel as important as any classroom.
She took horticulture courses for college credit, learned floriculture and plant identification, competed in plant competitions through FFA and spent time in the greenhouse.
“That’s kind of what pushed me toward it,” she said. “I always loved science, so it just made sense.”
When it came time to choose a college, Nebraska wasn’t immediately the only option. She explored horticulture and agronomy programs elsewhere, but East Campus ultimately stood out. Her older brother, a biochemistry student at Nebraska, had also enjoyed his experience at the university.
“I liked that East Campus was separate,” she said. “It felt smaller and more connected.”
Once on campus, the Plant Biology Club quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of her college experience, not only because of the activities and events, but because it introduced her to lifelong friends.
Her closest college friend, Ryleigh Kirby, a plant biology alumna and doctoral student in complex biosystems, came into her life through the club.
“We probably wouldn’t have met if we weren’t both in plant biology,” Christensen said.
Ryleigh (Groves) Kirby (from right), Jameson Kirby, Remi Christensen and other plant biology students hang out at the 2024 Agronomy and Horticulture Spring Awards Banquet.
Beyond student organizations, she served as a teaching assistant for Plant and Landscape Systems 200 Landscape and Environmental Appreciation and 278 Botany taught by her adviser Christian Elowsky, associate professor of practice in agronomy and horticulture.
“We taught the labs, and that was fun,” she said.
She also served as a CASNR ambassador, representing the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and helping prospective students find their place on East Campus, just as she had once.
Outside academics, Husker athletics provided some of her favorite memories. A Husker sports fan, she especially enjoyed men’s basketball and said this past season — culminating in a Sweet 16 appearance during her senior year — was unforgettable.
Remi Christensen (bottom left) poses for a photo with Plant Biology Club members and club adviser Christian Elowsky (top right).
But somewhere along the way, her future began to shift.
She enrolled in genetics courses that opened an entirely new path. First came genetics, then molecular genetics, and with each class her interest grew. What began as curiosity eventually became a career goal — genetic counseling.
“I kind of fell in love with it after I took genetics,” she said.
Now, after graduation, she plans to take a gap year before pursuing a master’s degree in genetic counseling, a growing healthcare field focused on helping patients understand genetic testing and inherited conditions. She is particularly interested in cancer genetics, where counselors work closely with patients and physicians to guide testing options and management.
Though her career goals have evolved beyond plants, she still sees her plant biology background as foundational to where she’s headed.
In many ways, this new path makes sense. The curiosity that first took root in a high school greenhouse never disappeared — it simply grew in a different direction.
