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Farmers Grain funds OSU scholarship to help area students
STILLWATER, Okla. – An Oklahoma State University student’s dream of earning a college degree is one step closer to reality, thanks to a $75,000 endowment from Farmers Grain Company of Pond Creek.
“We feel the endowment is a positive way that Farmers Grain can support our members and their families; as a co-op, we believe in doing what we can to help our members meet their goals,” said Danny Halcomb, president of Farmers Grain Company.
To be eligible for the scholarship, the OSU student must be a member of Farmers Grain Company or have a parent or grandparent who is a member of the marketing and farm supply cooperative.
Halcomb added that it is hoped many of the recipients will return to their rural roots after graduation, bringing with them cutting-edge knowledge and skills vital to strengthening and revitalizing local communities.
The cooperative system has been good for Oklahoma and rural America, and its founding principals go beyond day-to-day business operations, said Kent Prickett, general manager of Farmers Grain Company.
“Many of our young people love living in small towns and enjoy what rural life has to offer, especially being part of a tight-knit community,” he said. “We need to invest in them, help build opportunities for the next generation if our rural areas are to prosper.”
Potential recipients of the annual scholarship must be from Grant, Garfield, Kay or Alfalfa counties in Oklahoma, or from Sumner or Harper counties in Kansas. They also must be a fulltime student at OSU and be classified a sophomore, junior or senior with a 3.0 minimum grade point average.
“The first award or awards will begin when the endowment generates sufficient spendable earnings to support an annual stipend,” said Kathy McNally, associate vice president of development with the OSU Foundation.
Preference will be given to students majoring in plant and soil sciences, animal science or agricultural economics, all majors within OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Prospective students can uncover and explore opportunities through the college at http://www.casnr.com on the Internet.
“The exceptional scholarship support we are able to award students to further their education would not be possible without the generosity of our donors, who recognize the inherent value and connectivity of the division’s programs,” said Ed Miller, CASNR associate dean.
The OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is comprised of the college and two statewide agencies: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
Anyone seeking information about the many ways one can become a donor to the division and university should contact McNally at 405-385-5100.
As the private fundraising organization for OSU, the foundation manages donor dollars to provide the most advanced educational opportunities available to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university.
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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK 74078-0001
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: donald.stotts@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating; Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.
