Farm Credit Services Scholarship Program
FCS Announces Winners of 2008 Member Scholarship Program
Twenty students who are sons and daughters of FCS member-customers from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee have been selected to receive $2,000 scholarship awards from Farm Credit. The scholarship program was created to address the cooperative’s desire to return greater value to rural America by increasing the association’s investment in education and youth activities.
“This year’s scholarship recipients were selected from an outstanding pool of approximately 400 applicants,” said Bob Barton, chair of the 18 member board of directors for FCS. ”We understand the importance of investing in the future and are proud to support students as they pursue careers in agriculture, finance or agricultural business studies. As agriculture continues to grow and evolve, we want students to be at the forefront of the industry and grow with it.”
Here are this year's recipients:
Samuel Clark - Frankfort, Indiana - Son of Mr. and Mrs. James T. Clark
Clark, a sophomore Ag Finance major at Purdue University, volunteers with his local Kiwanis Club and is involved in Purdue’s Boiler Volunteer Network, where recently supported the Trinity Mission Outlet. He was recently named Outstanding Freshman in Ag Economics. Clark plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Ag Finance and a career in Financial Analysis.
Kaitlyn Culy - Hagerstown, Indiana - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neil Culy
Culy is a freshman studying Agriculture Education at Purdue University. She serves as chapter vice president for her 4-H, president of her college FFA, and captain of the varsity golf team. She is involved in the National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America. She hopes to become an agricultural educator and an FFA advisor.
Benjamin Daily - Hope, Indiana - Son of Mr. and Mrs. James D. Daily
A freshman at Purdue University, Daily plans to study Business and Agricultural Systems Management. He is involved in the National Honor Society, Soil Judging Team, and FFA. His dream is to assume full responsibility of the family farm and to expand and increase its profitability.
Benjamin M. Reason - Rochester, Indiana - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Moeller
Reason is a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Finance. He was a member of several organizations, including FFA and 4-H, where he was chapter president for four years. He balances the management of his goat farm and landscaping business with volunteering at the American Red Cross. Reason is planning a career in agricultural finance.
Megan Elizabeth Schnur - Chrisney, Indiana - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Schnur
Schnur is a freshman majoring in Biochemistry at Purdue University. She is a member of 4-H, Purdue Block and Bridle, Pre-Veterinary Club, Biochemistry Club, and Emerging Leaders Program. She balances school work with community volunteerism and hopes to engineer new medical treatments at her own veterinary clinic.
Michelle Rae Steinbarger - Edinburgh, Indiana - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Steinbarger
A freshman studying Food Science at Purdue University, Steinbarger is involved in student council, FFA, and 4-H, where she serves as chapter president. She is on the National Honor Roll and has earned several athletic awards. She plans to research and develop new food products, with a focus on healthy options that prevent and cure disease.
April M. Duncan - Manitou, Kentucky - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Duncan
Duncan is a freshman at Western Kentucky University majoring in Agriculture. She is involved in several sports and extracurricular clubs, including FFA, 4-H, Key Club, FCA, and Beta Club. She looks forward to working on the communications team for the Kentucky Soybean Association and possibly teaching agricultural subjects.
Brittany Leigh Jefferson - Augusta, Kentucky - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jefferson
Jefferson is a freshman majoring in Business at Northern Kentucky University. She served as chapter president for the Future Business Leaders of America and is a member Who’s Who. She is a member of the intramural volleyball team and the Freshman Service Leadership Committee. She plans to return to the family farm and simplify the bookkeeping process.
Wes Korthaus - Smithfield, Kentucky - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Korthaus
Korthaus, a freshman at Western Kentucky University majoring in Agriculture, is a member of Collegiate FFA and 4-H. His participation in community service includes food drives and flower donations, as well as helping the local animal shelter. He has received many awards showing cattle. Korthaus plans to pursue a career in production agriculture as a fifth-generation Shorthorn Cattleman.
Dayna Parrett - Elizabethtown, Kentucky - Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Parrett
Parrett is a freshman at the University of Kentucky studying Family and Consumer Sciences. She is a member of the College of Agriculture Student Council, the American Legion and collegiate FFA. She volunteers in her community through Farm City Day, Relay for Life, March of Dimes and Adopt-a-Highway. She plans to obtain her doctorate in Counseling and Psychology.
Joshua Ragland - Hodgenville, Kentucky - Son of Mr. and Mrs. David Ragland
Ragland is a freshman at Bryan College and is majoring in Business Administration. He is involved in community service including church mission trips, a Home Mission Makeover and serving at the Heartland Crisis Pregnancy Center Banquet. He has received several athletic recognitions and plans to operate his own farm one day.
Andrea M. Eilenfeld - Lucas, Ohio - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eilenfeld
Eilenfeld is a sophomore studying Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University. She is involved with Alpha Zeta Partners, the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, and The Saddle and Sirloin Club. She is on the Dean’s List and the CFAES Honors Program. Her undergraduate studies are focused on beef production and she plans to become an animal veterinarian.
Ashley Evanich - Paris, Ohio - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Evanich
Evanich, a freshman studying Business Administration at Methodist University, is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, and 4-H. She volunteers at her church and the local humane society and has received many scholastic awards. After college she hopes to help area farmers with agricultural bookkeeping.
Melinda Osterloh - Versailles, Ohio - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luke Osterloh
Osterloh is a sophomore at The Ohio State University majoring in Agribusiness and Applied Economics. She works at Stucke Beef and Egg Farm and Farm Income Enhancement and is a member of Alpha Zeta Partners and Agribusiness Club. She is on the OSU College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Honor Roll. Osterloh plans to secure a job with an agribusiness firm.
Tyler Shipp - Wapakoneta, Ohio - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Shipp
Shipp is a freshman at The Ohio State University, where he plans to study Agribusiness and Applied Economics. In addition to school athletics, he has been involved in FFA and 4-H. He volunteers in community projects such as farmer consignments, recycling centers, and trash pickup on township roadways. He plans to be a third-generation manager of his grain farm operation.
Kelsey Brooks - Parrotsville, Tennessee - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Brooks
Brooks is a freshman at the University of Tennessee majoring in Animal Science. During high school, she served as the Cocke County 4-H Horse Club President, Color Guard Captain, and Lost Creek Farm Equine Drill Team Captain. She is a volunteer at the Newport Animal Shelter and Ridin’ High Therapeutic Riding Center. She plans to attend veterinary school after college.
Christopher Fowler - Martin, Tennessee - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Fowler
Fowler, a freshman at UT Martin majoring in Agriculture Business, is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Mu Alpha Theta. He received the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s Outstanding Scholastic Award and Student Award of Merit. Fowler plans to use his degree to help his family’s production agriculture farm become more competitive and profitable.
Chris Hampton - Celina, Tennessee - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Charlee Hampton
Hampton is a senior studying Agriculture at Tennessee Tech University. He is a member of Block and Bridle and Delta Tau Alpha, and is a student employee for the School of Agriculture. He volunteers for duck banding at Stone Farms and hopes to obtain a job related to Agriculture and Business.
Clayton Head - Ceder Hill, Tennessee - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Head
Head is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee studying Ag Education. He is chaplain of Alpha Gamma Rho and is the Student Council Representative to the College of Agriculture. He is a member of Collegiate FFA and Block and Bridle Club, and is involved with Habitat for Humanity and the Vol Challenge. He plans to become a high school agriculture teacher and a part-time farmer.
Cody Mundy - Speedwell, Tennessee - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Mundy
Mundy is a freshman at the University of Tennessee, where he will be studying Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. He is the FFA chapter treasurer and a 4-H Teen Leader, and a member of the Beta Club. He is a community volunteer and has received several Honor Roll and FFA competition awards. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in forestry.
The scholarships were available to FCS customer-members or their dependents and were awarded based on academic record, leadership qualities and community and school involvement. Information about the 2009 Scholarship program will also be available in November, 2008.