News Release

Aug. 29, 2012 – The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) announce the following 2012 Scholarships and Fellowships. These awards will be formally presented during their Annual Meetings, Oct. 21-24, 2012 in Cincinnati, OH.
 

American Society of Agronomy Scholarships:

• The Hank Beachell Future Leader Scholarship, funded through the Agronomic Science Foundation, was established in recognition of Henry A. Beachell’s commitment to advancing the knowledge of agriculture through his work in rice breeding and development. The purpose is to expand the agricultural knowledge of undergraduate students participating in activities that enhance their university studies. The ASA 2012 Hank Beachell Future Leader Scholarship is awarded to:
  • Dianna Bagnall, Texas A&M University. Dianna Bagnall is a graduate student studying soil physics and hydropedology at Texas A&M University. She is currently working on an M.S. degree after having recieved her B.S. in plant and environmental soil science at A&M during the summer of 2012.
     
  • Matti B. Kuykendall, Kansas State University. Matti Kuykendall is a senior at Kansas State University majoring in Agronomy-Soil and Environmental Science, with a secondary major in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and a minor in Anthropology. She is currently in Europe taking part in a 6-month International 4-H Youth Exchange to the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Matti is living with host families in rural areas, swapping information about agricultural practices, cultures, customs, youth programs, and languages.
     
• The United Soybean Board Fellowship promotes graduate education in the area of plant sciences, emphasizing the development of improved soybean varieties, understanding soybean genetics, and developing improved ways to grow and use soybeans. The intention of the fellowship is to attract the highest quality students whose careers will continue to advance the science of soybean improvement. Funds for the fellowship are provided by the United Soybean Board. The 2012 United Soybean Board Fellowship is awarded to:
  • Zachary R. King, University of Georgia. Zachary King is a Doctoral Student at the University of Georgia’s Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics, where he earned a M.S. degree. He received a B.S. with honors from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
     
  • Eric W. Wilson, University of Minnesota. Eric Wilson is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics. He earned his B.S. degree from Iowa State University, and his M.S. degree from Purdue University.
     

• The Cross-Cultural Experience Program is awarded to an undergraduate student going on a study abroad. It provides the student with summer learning and working experience to learn more about agricultural sciences and agricultural education through international agricultural programs. It also provides an opportunity for students to live with students of another culture and language. It is funded through the Agronomic Science Foundation, Lewis B. Nelson Fund. The 2012 Cross-Cultural Experience Scholarship will be presented to:
  • Matti B. Kuykendall, Kansas State University. Matti Kuykendall is a senior at Kansas State University majoring in Agronomy-Soil and Environmental Science, with a secondary major in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and a minor in Anthropology. She is currently in Europe taking part in a 6-month International 4-H Youth Exchange to the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Matti is living with host families in rural areas, swapping information about agricultural practices, cultures, customs, youth programs, and languages.
     
  • Jacob C. Rutz, North Carolina State University. Jacob Rutz is junior at North Carolina State University majoring in Plant and Soil Science with a concentration in agroecology. He is a research assistant in a soil agroecology lab and hopes to study abroad in Namibia, Africa in the spring.
     

• The Frank D. Keim Graduate Fellowship is awarded to enhance the National Student Recognition Program and to honor the unparalleled academic advising of the late Frank D. Keim, whose students and work have reached around the world. It is funded by the Frank D. Keim Fund of the Agronomic Science Foundation. The 2012 Frank D. Keim Graduate Fellowship is awarded to: Joel Stokdyk, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Joel Stokdyk is a student pursuing a Master’s degree in Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He received a B.S. degree from there in 2012 with a major in Soil and Land Management.
   
• The J. Fielding Reed Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding undergraduate senior pursuing a career in soil or plant sciences. It was established in recognition of Dr. Reed's life-long commitment to advancing the knowledge of agriculture through his work in soil science and natural resources, and his passion for educating students. It is funded through the Agronomic Science Foundation. The 2012 J. Fielding Reed Scholarship is awarded to: Clinton J. Steketee, Michigan State University. Clinton Steketee is a graduate student in the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics at the University of Georgia. He recently received a B.S. degree in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University.

Crop Science Society of America Scholarships:

• The CSSA Gerald O. Mott Scholarship is provided to a meritorious student who has completed at least one year of graduate work leading to an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in a field of emphasis within crop science and who has outstanding potential for leadership. The scholarship is supported through a contribution by Mrs. Lorraine Mott and family and contributions to the Agronomic Science Foundation. The 2012 Gerald O. Mott Scholarship is awarded to:
  • Wesley T. Barber, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign. Wesley Barber is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received a B.A. in Biology from Grinnell College.
     
  • Keenan C. McRoberts, Cornell University. Keenan McRoberts is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University. He received his B.S. degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and his Master of Professional Studies degree from Cornell University.

Soil Science Society of America Scholarships:

• The Hubert J. Byrd Sr. Scholarship was established to encourage undergraduate students to major in soil science degree programs. The scholarship recruits top quality students into nationally recognized soil science programs to meet the expanding and diverse needs of this field. The SSSA Consulting Soil Scientists Division also encourages soil science graduates to pursue a career in the field of professional consulting soil science to meet the various public needs and practical applications of this science. Funds for the scholarship are made available by the Agronomic Science Foundation in memory of Hubert J. Byrd Sr., a prominent and highly respected soil scientist. The 2012 Hubert J. Byrd Sr. Scholarship is awarded to: Joel Stokdyk, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Joel Stokdyk is a student pursuing a Master’s degree in Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He received a B.S. degree from there in 2012 with a major in Soil and Land Management. 
   
• The Francis and Evelyn Clark Soil Biology Scholarship was established to recognize the importance of soil biology and the understanding of soil, plant, and microbial interactions and of nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. The scholarship is supported by a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Francis Clark to the Agronomic Science Foundation and administered by the Soil Science Society of America. The 2012 Francis and Evelyn Clark Soil Biology Scholarship is awarded to: Cynthia Kallenbach, University of New Hampshire. Cynthia Kallenbach is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of New Hampshire and is advised by Dr. Stuart Grandy. She received two M.S. degrees from University of California-Davis in International Agricultural Development and in Soil Biogeochemistry, under Dr. Will Horwath.

ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Golden Opportunity Scholars

• The Golden Opportunity Scholars Institute is a program that matches undergraduates with scientist-mentors during the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Annual Meetings. The program encourages talented students to enter the agronomy, crop, and soil sciences, cultivate networks, and develop the necessary workforce to sustain the profession. The following undergraduates have been selected as 2012 Golden Opportunity Scholars based on their academic achievements and interest in the sciences:
  • Sara Alatorre, California State University Fresno. Sara Alatorre is a student in the Plant Science Department at California State University, Fresno, and is majoring in Plant Science with an emphasis in Plant Health. She is a senior and will pursue a M.S. in Plant Science after graduating in May 2013.
     
  • John Samuel Bennett, California State University-Pomona. John Bennett is a student in the Plant Science Department at Cal Poly Pomona, and is majoring in plant science. He has plans to focus on agronomy. John is a senior and intends on entering graduate school for agronomy after he graduates in June 2014.
     
  • Eric Billman, The Ohio State University. Eric Billman is a student in the Horticulture and Crop Science department at The Ohio State University, majoring in crop science with a minor in plant pathology. Eric is a senior, and will graduate in December 2012. After this, Eric plans on going to graduate school to obtain a Ph.D. in plant breeding.
     
  • Matthew Breitzman, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Matthew Breitzman is a student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and is majoring in Agronomy and Soil Science. After graduating in May 2014, he plans to attend graduate school in plant breeding.
     
  • Michael Carlson, South Dakota State University. Michael Carlson is a junior in the Plant Science Department at South Dakota State University and is majoring in Agronomy with a minor in pest management. Michael will attend graduate school in plant breeding or physiology upon graduation.
     
  • Kathryn Clark, Pennsylvania State University. Kathryn Clark is a senior at Penn State University, majoring in Environmental Resource Management, Soil Science option, with a minor in Water Resources. Kathryn plans on attending graduate school for nutrient management after graduating in May 2013.
     
  • Blaire Colvin, University of Florida. Blaire Colvin is a student in the Agronomy Department at the University of Florida and is majoring in Plant Science with a specialization in Agronomy. Blaire is a senior and plans on going to graduate school in agronomy after graduating in May 2013.
     
  • Whitney Desiree Crow, University of Tennessee-Martin. Whitney Crow is student at The University of Tennessee-Martin, majoring in crop and soil management with a minor in biology. Whitney plans on attending graduate school with an emphasis in weed science and entomology after graduating in May 2013.
     
  • Heidi Davis, University of Missouri. Heidi Davis is a student at the University of Missouri. She is majoring in Plant Sciences with an emphasis in Crop Management and a minor in Soil Sciences. Heidi is a senior and plans pursing a graduate degree in weed science or crop physiology.
     
  • Suzanne Fleishman, University of North Carolina. Suzanne Fleishman is a senior at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in Agroecology and a minor in Chemistry. She plans to do outreach and research focused on North Carolina Farmers through a position at an academic institution or the extension service.
     
  • Donald Lee Hodgkinson, Colorado State University. Donny Hodgkinson is student in the Soil and Crop Sciences Department at Colorado State University, majoring in plant biotechnology, genetics and breeding. He is a senior and will go to graduate school in plant breeding after graduating in May.
     
  • Sarah Kogler, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Sarah Kogler attends the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She is studying biology and soil science. Post graduation, she will continue her education through graduate school, and pursue a career in research.
     
  • Dalton Ludwick, University of Missouri. Dalton Ludwick is a student in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and is majoring in Plant Sciences – Plant Protection. He is a junior and plans on going to graduate school for entomology after graduating in May 2014.
     
  • Bradley Mason, Western Illinois University. Bradley Mason is a student at Western Illinois University. He is majoring in agriculture science with a minor in plant breeding. Brad is a junior and is planning on going to graduate school in plant physiology or plant breeding. Brad is set to graduate in December 2013.
     
  • Katherine McLachlan, University of Illinois. Katherine McLachlan is a senior in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, and is majoring in Crop Sciences, with a minor in Chemistry. She plans on going to graduate school in Plant Breeding after graduating in May 2013.
     
  • Uday Mitsuyasu, Purdue University. Uday Mitsuyasu is a student in the Agronomy Department at Purdue University, and is majoring in plant breeding and genetics. He is a junior and plans on going to graduate school in the same major after graduating in May 2014.
     
  • Sua Renata García Ocampo, Universidad Piloto de Colombia Sede Bogotá. Sua Renata García Ocampo is a student in the Environmental Administration and Management at Universidad Piloto de Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia. Sua is a senior and plans on finishing her thesis about soil uses and territorial planning in Colombia in April 2013.
     
  • Rachel Owen, Iowa State University. Rachel Owen is a student at Iowa State University, and is double majoring in agronomy and global resource systems with a minor in chemistry. Rachel is a senior and plans on going to graduate school in soil chemistry after graduating in May 2013.
     
  • Allison Claire Siekman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Allison Siekman is a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Agronomy with minors in Plant Biology and Spanish. After graduating in May 2014, Allison plans on attending graduate school to study plant breeding and genetics.
     
  • Douglas Wolf, University of Arkansas. Douglas Wolf is a junior at the University of Arkansas and is majoring in environmental, soil, and water science with a minor in sustainability. Douglas plans to enter graduate school in environmental soil science after graduating in May 2014.

For more information on the 2012 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA scholarships, visit: 
www.agronomy.org/awards/award.  For more information on the 2012 Annual Meetings, visit: www.acsmeetings.org.  

Photos of the recipients receiving their awards will be posted online following the Annual Meetings and placed on our Newsroom page: www.acsmeetings.org/newsroom/news-releases