College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Alumni & Friends

A golden opportunity. That’s what Kevin and Dana Sue Kirk see right now for MSU and the Michigan Dairy industry. And they have plenty of reasons to feel that way.

The industry is growing, driving $15 billion in annual economic impact for the state. Thanks to strong research partnerships and technological innovation, Michigan ranks first in the nation for milk production per cow, exceeding the national average by 15%.

Last summer, the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) opened the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center. Supported through a historic $30 million investment from the state, this modern 165,000-square-foot facility serves as a central hub for Michigan’s dairy industry, accelerating high-impact research and preparing the workforce of the future.

The momentum is obvious and for the Kirks, the time is now. The couple recently made a gift to the Joe Domecq Dairy Education Endowment. This funding will expand teaching capacity at the facility, aligning increasing student demand with the needs of an expanding dairy industry.

“We have a brand-new dairy facility and a growing industry in Michigan," said Kevin. "Now we need to invest in people. Additional teaching staff gives us the opportunity to make Michigan State the leader in dairy education, not just in the Midwest but nationally.”

Commuter bus rides to classes and Dairy Club

The Kirks’ connection to MSU has shaped their personal and professional journeys. Dana Sue grew up just miles north of campus on a small dairy farm. Her dad graduated from the MSU Ag Tech program, and the family raised Registered Holsteins at Golden Knob Farm. Throughout her childhood, she showed Holsteins and was involved in 4-H. After high school Dana Sue enrolled at MSU, commuting to campus to pursue a dairy science degree. She joined the Dairy Club and was an active member of the MSU Dairy Cattle Judging team.

Kevin also grew up on a dairy farm raising Holsteins. At MSU, Kevin divided his time between classes, working on the campus poultry farm and participating in the Dairy Club while pursuing his bachelor's degree in dairy science.

The two met while riding the commuter bus to campus for classes in 1971. They continued to get to know each other during these regular commutes to Anthony Hall, in addition to bonding at Dairy Club meetings and working together at the annual MSU cheese sale.

On the night of Kevin’s graduation from MSU in December 1971, he drove to St. Johns, Michigan, to look at a Registered Holstein cow that Dana Sue raised from a calf on her family’s farm. He then decided to ask her to see a movie. That night was their first date.

“It’s crazy to think about it now," said Kevin. "I had just graduated, I was leaving the next week. And then we started dating… and here we are today.”

Careers shaping Michigan agriculture

Within a year of that first date, they were married. Dana Sue completed her degree at MSU in 1974, and each went to work putting their skills to use in the agricultural industry.

They purchased their home farm in St. Johns in 1978 and began raising heifers. Dana Sue spent 35 years in agricultural finance with GreenStone Farm Credit Services. In her role as vice president of commercial lending, she worked closely with large dairy operations across Michigan, supporting expansion, capital investment and long-term sustainability.

Kevin worked in produce, dairy operations and then 20 years with Michigan Farm Bureau before serving in the Michigan Department of Agriculture. MSU continued to play a role in their lives. In 1995, Kevin earned a master’s degree in Right to Farm. This program strengthened his work defending livestock producers at the township level and in formal legal processes.

Beyond their own education and careers, their ties to MSU only deepened through their children. “Two of our three children earned five degrees from MSU,” said Dana Sue. “And when you include their spouses, our family holds ten Michigan State degrees. It speaks to how much this university means to us.”

Why now?

The Kirks have long believed in giving back to the industry and institution that shaped their livelihoods. About a decade ago, they established an endowment at CANR in honor of Dana Sue’s parents, George and Shirley Hazle, to support dairy students, judging teams and Dairy Challenge participants.

When discussions began around the Joe Domecq Dairy Education Endowment, they immediately saw the potential of this opportunity. Rather than supporting scholarships alone, the endowment expands teaching capacity, supports curriculum innovation and empowers hands-on student experiences. This funding will provide the teaching and programmatic resources needed to bring MSU’s new dairy facility to life.

“Our livelihoods were built around dairy,” said Dana Sue. “When the opportunity came to support an endowment that strengthens teaching and education, it felt like the right fit.”

The top priority of the Domecq endowment is funding additional academic specialists and instructors in areas such as nutrition, reproduction, genetics, herd management and dairy technology. It also supports student opportunities including Dairy Challenge, judging teams, internships, study abroad and tech-enabled learning through robotics and data analysis.

“As student enrollment in the MSU Dairy Education program grows, we must continue adapting our curriculum to reflect the latest dairy practices and emerging technologies,” said Dr. Joe Domecq, coordinator of MSU Dairy Education and Teaching Programs and academic specialist in the Department of Animal Science.

“There is currently a need for more academic teaching staff with practical dairy experience and the ability to train students with limited backgrounds in dairy production. The generous philanthropic support from the Kirks, and partners in the Michigan dairy industry, will help us fully utilize MSU’s new Dairy Teaching and Research Center, allowing us to advance our dairy teaching program.”

An investment in the leaders of tomorrow

The Kirks know that the dairy industry is changing rapidly. To remain competitive, Michigan needs a workforce prepared to enter an industry that is becoming more innovative and high-tech. And that’s why expanding educational opportunities at MSU is so critical.

“Whether it’s reproduction, facilities, nutrition or other areas, the technology is evolving so fast, it’s mind boggling,” said Dana Sue. “Students need hands-on experience, industry exposure and strong faculty support, especially in a field that is changing as quickly as dairy.”

Kevin notes that farmers can now track production, feed intake and herd health right from their phones. While these changes can certainly improve efficiency, you need to have a skilled workforce trained to implement these technologies to maximize impact.

“We need additional teaching staff to attract more students. This is an opportunity to teach more young people, so they are ready to support the industry as it continues to grow and evolve,” said Kevin.

Reflecting on their own journey and looking forward to the future, the Kirks see a golden opportunity on the horizon. But fully capitalizing on this moment will require a collective effort. They hope fellow dairy farmers, alumni, stakeholders and industry partners will come together to support the future of dairy at MSU.

“We want to make Michigan State number one in dairy education,” said Kevin.

“When you look at where Dana Sue and I started and where you are today, Michigan State played a major role. Giving back ensures future students have the same opportunities we did. Education takes investment, and it is up to alumni and industry partners to step up.”

To learn more about supporting the Joe Domecq Dairy Education Endowment or additional opportunities at the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, contact Kyle Cutler, director of development for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, at cutlerky@msu.edu.