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Agriculture 

Scholarships

 

Ag Scholarship Banquet

Each fall, the Agriculture Department presents many scholarships to Agriculture majors at its Annual Banquet.  This has been an ongoing program for over 67 years.  Our department appreciates our many scholarship donors and is proud of the students that we honor.

Agriculture students qualify for many other university scholarships.  Below is a listing of our Departmental Scholarships.

To apply for any of these scholarships, you must:

  • be an Agriculture Major
  • be assigned to an Agriculture Advisor
  • be a full time student enrolled in 12 hours or more for the current Fall semester 
     

Agriculture Alumni Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1988 and is awarded annually to students majoring in Agriculture at Missouri State on the basis of scholarship and leadership activities.  It is funded from contributions to the Department of Agriculture, its alumni, and friends.

Alpha Gamma Rho - Beta Omega Leadership Scholarship

A new scholarship to be awarded after the Fall 2009 semester to a deserving man who enrolls at Missouri State University – Springfield, Missouri as an incoming freshmen or transfer student in the Fall of 2009. The scholarship is for students planning to graduate with a degree in an agricultural major, or those planning a career in agriculture or life sciences following graduation.  Application

Gayle Ashley Horticulture Club Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 2000 in honor of Emeritus Professor Gayle Ashley upon his retirement from the Department of Agriculture (where he taught from 1970-2000).  The scholarship was funded with contributions from the Horticulture Club and friends of Mr. Ashley and is awarded annually to horticulture majors or minors in Agriculture.

Block and Bridle Scholarship

First awarded in 1993, this scholarship is awarded annually to members of the Missouri State Block and Bridle Club (a national animal science student organization) and is based on scholarship, leadership, and interest in an animal career.

Carr Farm Scholarship

First awarded in 1986, this endowed scholarship is awarded annually to Agriculture majors.  In addition to scholarship and leadership, special consideration is given to students with 4-H and FFA backgrounds.  The late Henry and Grace Carr, who operated a local family farm, established the scholarship.

Douglas W. Darr Leadership Scholarship

Established in 2003 by Mr. William H. Darr in memory of his son whose life and leadership opportunities were cut short at the age of 17, but whose legacy will inspire future leaders to excel.  The scholarships are awarded annually to students enrolled at Missouri State University who are majoring in a program in the Department of Agriculture and who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities.

Delta Tau Alpha Scholarship

First awarded in 1974, this scholarship is awarded to a member of the Honor Society of Delta Tau Alpha and is based on scholarship, leadership, and character.

The Dr. J.N. Smtih/FSC Financial Scholarship

In 1977, FCS Financial established what was then called the "Farm Credit Services Scholarship" at Missouri State.  It continues to be awarded annually to an upper-classman agriculture major  who demonstrates academic achievement, leadership, and character.  With Dr. J.N. Smith's  passing,  FCS contributions to the Farm Credit System as part of the FCS Financial Scholarship.

Farmers Cooperative Livestock Marketing Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1995 with a contribution from the Farmers Cooperative.  The scholarship is awarded annually to students majoring in Agriculture with an emphasis in Animal Science or Agricultural Business.  Preference is given to students who have participated in 4-H or FFA and are high school graduates from the following counties in Missouri: Stone, Taney, Christian, Greene, Lawrence, Dade, Polk, Dallas, Laclede, Webster, Wright, Cedar, Douglas, and Barry.

FFA Scholarship

First awarded in 1972, this scholarship is presented annually to Missouri State University students who have shown outstanding accomplishments in the FFA organization.  Criteria include leadership abilities, academic achievements and participation in high school FFA activities.  The recipients must be full-time students majoring in Agriculture.

FFA State Officer Scholarship

First awarded in 1993, this scholarship is awarded annually to all Missouri State University students who are serving as a State FFA Officer.  The Missouri State alumni provide the scholarship.  The student must be enrolled as a full-time student in Agriculture at Missouri State University.

Jack Gordon Memorial Scholarship

The family and friends of Jack Gordon, an SMSU student at the time of his death, established this endowed scholarship in 1979.  Applicants must be a graduate of Galena High School (and have graduated in the top half of their class, having completed one or more courses in vocational agriculture) and have an interest in agriculture.  If there are no applicants from Galena High School, a recipient is selected from students graduating from Crane High School or a school in the surrounding area.

Christian Robert Hirsch Memorial

This endowed scholarship was established in 1982 by the parents of Christian Robert Hirsch, who was a student at SMSU prior to his death.  The scholarship is awarded annually to a junior who is a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma Fraternity (Epsilon Chapter).

Harry and Marion James Agronomy Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1993 with a contribution from Dr. Harry and Marion James. Dr. James retired from the Department of Agriculture in 2002 after serving the department as an Agronomy Professor for 20 years.  The scholarship is awarded annually to students majoring in Agronomy with an emphasis in soil science.

Norman Justus Scholarship

First awarded in 1994, this scholarship was established by the agriculture teachers of southwest Missouri out of their deep respect for and in recognition of Dr. Justus, who as superintendent of the Southwest Research Center in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, provided many years of service to Missouri high school students.  The scholarship is awarded annually to an Agriculture Education major.

Glenn E. and Ruth Z. Karls Memorial Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1994 with a bequest from the estate of Ruth Z. Karls, widow of Dr. Glenn E. Karls (department head of the Department of Agriculture who served from 1947-1968).  The scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding Agriculture majors at Missouri State based upon academic performance and leadership activities.

Benjamin Charles Kruse Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2005 through the idea and generosity of Mr. William H. Darr.  The scholarship is in memory of Ben Kruse whose life was cut short in 2004 at the age of 28.  Ben loved life, loved people, and was always looking for ways to help others.  The scholarship will be awarded annually to students enrolled at Missouri State with an interest in Agriculture as their major field of study.

James P. and Margaret S. Landreth Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1988 and is awarded annually to students majoring in Agriculture.  The late James P. Landreth graduated from Southwest Missouri State Teachers College in 1933 with a degree in Agriculture and worked the majority of his life in agriculturally related positions.  Selection is based upon scholarship and leadership activities.

MFA, Inc. Scholarship

Originating in 2004, this endowed scholarship was established by MFA, Inc. on behalf of MFA, Inc., MFA Oil Company, and all affiliated MFA agencies throughout Missouri. This scholarship is awarded to an upperclass Agriculture major exhibiting excellent academic performance.

H. Lewis Miller Scholarship

This endowed freshman scholarship was established in 2001 by H. Lewis Miller and is awarded annually to a freshman student enrolled at Missouri State University in Agriculture.  Consideration is given to high school performance, college potential as indicated by aptitude tests, and to leadership qualities.  Preference will be given to students who have participated in FFA.

Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Scholarship

Established in 2001, this scholarship is available annually for Agriculture undergraduate students.  The recipients’ family must be a member of Missouri Farm Bureau. Criteria shall be academic progress and leadership abilities.  A preference will be given to applicants active in the Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter.

Michelle Nahon Equine Scholarship

This endowed scholarship, established in 2004, will be awarded annually to a student enrolled at Missouri State University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Equine Studies.

Ed Pinegar Scholarship

Established in 2003 by the children of Ed Pinegar, an SMS alumnus.  This endowed scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate who is a high school graduate of Willard High School.  Consideration will be given to high school performance, aptitude and leadership qualities.

Howard Pyle Memorial Scholarship

First awarded in 1984, this endowed scholarship was established from the fundraising efforts of Mr. John Schatz to honor the memory of Howard Pyle, a local nursery and landscaping businessman and a 1964 graduate of the Department of Agriculture.  This scholarship is awarded annually to Agriculture majors interested in horticulture.

Vernon Renner Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1985.  Two of the six annual awards are given to sophomore or junior students majoring in Agronomy who have demonstrated an interest in soil conservation or soil science; a third is given annually to a sophomore or junior Agronomy or Wildlife Conservation major demonstrating an interest in ecologically sustainable agriculture.  Fourth and fifth scholarships are given on the basis of demonstrated leadership and are both given to upperclassmen.  The sixth scholarship is given to a student having an interest in ecological agriculture principles.  Dr. Renner is an Emeritus Professor of the Department of Agriculture and taught at SMSU from 1962 until his retirement in 1981.

John Schatz Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1986 in honor of Emeritus Professor John Schatz upon his retirement from the Department of Agriculture, where he served as head of the department (from 1950-1980) and taught horticulture for 37 years (from 1950 to 1987).  The scholarship was funded with contributions from the Horticulture Club and friends of Professor Schatz and is awarded annually to horticulture majors (or agronomy majors if there are no horticulture applicants meeting the requirements).  Recipients must be at least a sophomore at the time of their application.

Stanlie H. and Belva Ross Spangler Memorial Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1991 with a bequest from the Stanlie H. and Belva Ross Spangler Trust and is awarded annually to Agriculture majors based upon scholarship and leadership activities.  Mr. Spangler taught dairy science courses in the Department of Agriculture from 1948 to 1972.

David F. Stanke Memorial Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1988 with contributions from former colleagues, friends, and students of the Department of Agriculture in memory of Dr. David F. Stanke, who taught dairy science courses in the department from 1973 until his death in 1985.  It is awarded annually to an Animal Science major with an emphasis in dairy studies.

Charles and Patricia Stufflebeam Agricultural Scholarship

First awarded in 1997, this scholarship was established by Dr. Charles E. Stufflebeam, Emeritus Professor of Agriculture, who taught animal science in the Department of Agriculture from 1969 until his retirement in 1996.  It is awarded annually to an Agriculture major with a preference given to Animal Science majors.

Robert F. Thomson, Jr. Family Scholarship

First awarded in 1970, this endowed scholarship was established by Mr. Robert F. Thomson, a Springfield area dairy farmer, and is awarded annually to an Animal Science major who demonstrates a special interest in dairy science.

Uncle Tom Watkins Memorial Scholarship

First awarded in 1968, this endowed scholarship was established by the special efforts of the late Henry and Grace Carr in memory of Tom Watkins, who was President of Commerce Bank (formerly Citizens Bank) in Springfield.  Mr. Watkins had a special sensitivity to the needs of family farmers.  The scholarship is awarded annually to an Agriculture major.

White River Valley Electric Cooperative Scholarship

First awarded in 2000, White River Valley Electric Cooperative awards this scholarship in recognition of the importance of protecting our soils and the environment and to encourage serious study in the area of soil science and the environment.Preference is given to students demonstrating an interest in soils and the environment.

Farm Bureau Salute to Agriculture Award

First awarded in 2000, this scholarship was established by Mr. Wayne Schnelle and the late Mr. John Sparkman.  It is awarded to a student from a high school FFA program who attends the Farm Bureau Salute to Agriculture football game.

Greene County Farm Bureau Award

Originating in 1995, this annual award is given in recognition of outstanding performance by members who support the Collegiate Farm Bureau Club activities.

Missouri Cattlemen’s Foundation

Missouri Cattlemen’s Foundation provides matching grants to children with special needs for the purchase of adaptive/assistive equipment; conduct farm safety and youth education programs; and award educational scholarships.  Since 1997, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Foundation has awarded 299 scholarships to students from 74 Missouri counties.

Ozark Empire Fair Hometown News Internship Award

This internship award, which originated in 1995, is presented annually to Agriculture majors who were selected to work in the Fair’s pressroom during the Ozark Empire Fair. During the internship program, the students prepare news releases, take photographs, and distribute information to numerous media organizations in a four-state area.

Delta Tau Alpha Outstanding Freshman Award

Originating in 1966, this award is given to an Agriculture major exhibiting strong character, scholarship, and leadership as a freshman student at Missouri State University. Students must have completed a minimum of 24 hours during the previous academic year at Missouri State.

Glenn E. Karls Senior Excellence Award

Established by the Agriculture faculty in memory of Dr. Karls, who served as the first Head of the Department of Agriculture from 1947-1968.  The award is given annually to a graduating senior with selection based upon scholarship, leadership, and citizenship.  It was first awarded in 1978.