CANR Alumni Board Spotlight – James (Jim) Kober, DVM
Print
EmailJames (Jim) Kober (’83, Animal Science) currently serves as on the Executive Board as an at-large member.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) has nearly 60,000 alumni living around the world. The CANR Alumni Board helps connect this large and diverse alumni community to meaningful ways to engage with the college after graduation.
The mission of the CANR Alumni Board is to build relationships that serve the college, alumni, students and friends of MSU. The board consists of volunteer members representing each of the college departments, MSU Extension, young alumni and at-large members. These members meet quarterly in East Lansing.
Alumni Board members have a variety of responsibilities, including promoting college events and philanthropic opportunities. They also serve as liaisons between the college, academic departments, alumni, and the agriculture and natural resources industries, among other duties. The work of the Alumni Board helps to keep the CANR community vibrant and connected.
Members of the Alumni Board recently helped select recipients of the 2026 ANR Awards and played a leading role in promoting CANR’s fundraising efforts on Give Green Day. The Board also manages the awarding of student club grants and CANR Alumni Association Student Scholarships.
CANR is releasing a series of spotlights on Alumni Board members. These stories highlight each member's motivation for joining the board and share their experiences in this role.
James (Jim) Kober, DVM, serves on the Executive Board as an at-large member. He earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1983 and completed his veterinary degree in 1987. Kober is currently a semi-retired veterinarian who remains active as a hog and blueberry farmer.
How did your experience at CANR set you up for success in your career after graduation?
Many instructors and professors in the CANR became lifelong mentors and friends. The connections that I developed while at the CANR were and continue to be invaluable throughout my career in the agriculture industry.
What inspired you to become a CANR Alumni Board member?
I have enjoyed watching the activities of the CANR alumni board over the years. After I semi-retired, I was looking for ways to become more involved in the college and this opportunity presented itself.
What advice do you have for CANR current students?
It doesn’t matter what your degree is in, don’t be afraid to venture into another field. Your CANR degree qualifies you in many, many fields. Don’t be afraid to branch out into areas you didn’t realize were possible.
How would you encourage other CANR alumni to get involved and connect with the college?
First, please donate to one of the three awards programs that the CANR alumni board administers: faculty awards and recognition, student scholarships, and CANR club awards. Second, there are often vacancies on CANR alumni board. If your department spot is occupied, there are also “at large” positions.
What kind of impact do you hope to have as a member of the CANR Alumni Board?
My donations (both time and money) to the CANR alumni board awards program make a difference. It is rewarding to help with these programs and to get to know the recipients a little better.
More information about the CANR Alumni Board and ways you can get involved with Alumni Association can be found here.
