�ձ�av��Ƶ

More than 125 scholarships totaling more than $650,000 were awarded last week as part of the �ձ�av��Ƶ College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Scholarship and Recognition Banquet. The annual celebration of student achievement honored students representing every department within the college.

“There have been many changes in the past year, but what has remained the same is that we have bright, talented and motivated students,” Joe Cassady, South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, said in his welcome to banquet attendees. “We have faculty and staff who are committed to the success of those students, and we have generous donors who are willing to give of their time and treasure to better enable the success of those students.”

Named scholarships ranged from $2,000 to $10,000 and were made possible by generous donors who believe in supporting �ձ�av��Ƶ students and the future of the agriculture industry.

Scholarships are awarded based on the selection criteria set by the donor, with some going to students in specific programs of study, some to students who have excelled academically, and others reward student contributions outside of the classroom. Donors of the awards are invited to attend the ceremony, and many attend, as able, to present the scholarship in person and meet their recipient. Incredibly, most of the scholarships are named in honor of specific people, either college alumni, friends of the college or family and friends of the donor, and meeting with the representatives allows students to learn more about their scholarship’s namesake.

One of the awards, the Estebo Family Scholarship, comes from a long tradition of family members attending �ձ�av��Ƶ and working in agriculture. Floyd Delmage, father/grandfather to the Estebo family, graduated from �ձ�av��Ƶ in the 1930s, followed by Chad in ’93, Perry in ’94 and Perry’s son Jaydon this past May. After becoming accomplished in their careers, both in agriculture, Chad, Perry and their mother, Carol, began discussing how they wanted to give back to the school that had set them up for success.

“We are feeling blessed, and sometimes you need to reflect and understand how to give back,” Perry, currently a territory manager for Corteva, said when reflecting on starting the scholarship around five years ago. “(An agriculture scholarship) seemed like a natural way to honor someone within the college, to help a student through school.”

Perry and Carol now live in Brookings and attended the recent banquet.

“Leaving, we felt really good,” he said. “It’s fun to see the students and catch up, and it makes you feel like you’re making a difference in a student’s life.”

This year, the Estebo Family Scholarship was awarded to Hunter Gloden, a senior in the Department of Natural Resource Management majoring in conservation planning and park management. Gloden is one of more than 250 students who received a scholarship from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences this year that will help cover the costs of their tuition. Each department within the college, as well as the university’s general scholarship fund, award additional scholarships to students each year, but there is still a need for additional support.

“The cost of higher education continues to be a challenge for our students,” Jim Connors, associate dean and director of academic programs for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, said. “Academic scholarships provided by our supporters go to help our undergraduate students fund their education and prepare for their careers. It is through the continued support of donors that our students thrive and succeed in their chosen areas of study.”

A full list of named scholarships awarded this fall and this year’s winners is available on the college website. More than 92% of students attending �ձ�av��Ƶ receive some form of institutional financial aid. More information is available by contacting the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships . Those interested in starting or contributing to a scholarship are encouraged to contact the �ձ�av��Ƶ Foundation.