College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources // Recognizing Scholarship Donors

Nearly 120 donors, recipients, faculty and staff attended CAFNR’s annual Scholarship Donor Recognition luncheon in the Donald W. Reynolds Alumni Center Oct. 22.

Bryan Garton with scholarship recipient Samantha Coulson.

Associate Dean for Academic Programs Dr. Bryan Garton proudly announced that CAFNR awarded $1.3 million in scholarships this academic year. “My goal is to award $1.5 million in scholarships in the year 2020,” he said. The six new scholarships awarded this year included: David E. Baker Dedication to Agriculture Scholarship, John D. Drew Hydrology Award, Garton Family Scholarship, Charles Lauderdale Memorial Scholarship, Tom and Alice Payne Scholarship in CAFNR and Gardner Unger Scholarship in CAFNR.

CAFNR Campaign Committee chair Chuck Brazeale took a moment at the event to speak from his heart. “Most of you here are like Ina Rae and I…we love giving back to CAFNR, especially in the form of student scholarships. A highlight in our year is this event and getting to meet our scholarship recipients. I have been challenged to contact my friends who I think would want to give back to CAFNR by establishing a scholarship; I challenge you to do the same,” he said. Chuck and Ina Rae’s scholarship has supported 43 CAFNR student over the last 11 years.

Special guest speaker, Dr. Angie Whitesell, a family practice physician from Lockwood, Missouri (near Springfield), shared how her experiences in CAFNR shaped not only her career, but her passion to give back to her community in many meaningful ways. Read more about Dr. Whitsell in this feature article.

Amanda Smith, senior in agricultural education and member of CAFNR’s Student Development Board, served as the emcee. The Student Development Board is a group of CAFNR students that fosters relationships between donors and students and helps facilitate events.