$20,000 in beef scholarships

CAB’s Colvin Fund helps education dreams come true

by Miranda Reiman

October 21, 2011

Pursuing a passion for agriculture through further education—that’s the top requirement for the Louis M. “Mick” Colvin Scholarship offered by the Certified Angus Beef ^® (CAB^®) brand.

This year, $15,000 will be split among five undergraduate scholarships, in the amounts of $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000.

College juniors and seniors who have shown commitment to the beef industry, either through coursework or activities, are encouraged to apply by the Dec. 2 deadline. Applications are evaluated on involvement and scholastic achievement, communication skills and reference letters.

A new opportunity, an additional $5,000 graduate level scholarship will also be given to a full-time masters or doctorate student conducting research related to high-quality beef production. Applications for that award are due Jan. 13, 2012.

“The graduate level scholarship will build on what the Colvin Scholarship has always done,” says Mick Colvin, who co-founded Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) in 1978 and served as president for 22 years. “We will be able to groom the next great scientist supporting premium beef.”

The funds given have more than doubled since 2009.

“It’s very, very gratifying to see the amount we’ve offered grow over the years,” Colvin says. “Our partners have really pitched in and they’ve made this scholarship what it is today.”

Those supporters raised a record $92,000 in scholarship monies at a golf outing and auction held during the brand’s annual conference this year in Sunriver, Ore. The dollars go into an account that generates the interest proceeds used to fund these scholarships each year. That ensures the longevity of the program and its impact on the industry.

The 2012 golf outing sponsorship was purchased by Palmer Food Services/G&C Food Distributors, Rochester, N.Y.  The following companies also supported the live auction: Holten Meat Inc., East St. Louis, Ill; Cargill Meat Solutions, Wichita, Kan.; Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., Dakota Dunes, S.D.; Sysco Columbia LLC, Columbia, S.C.; Cattleman’s Choice Feedyard Inc., Gage, Okla.; Niman Ranch, Denver, Colo.; and from Canada, Retail Ready Food Products Inc., Mississauga, Ontario; GFS Montreal & Quebec; and Boucherville Quebec.

The top two recipients also win an all-expense-paid trip to the 2012 CAB Annual Conference, September 19-21 in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.  This is an opportunity to interact with leaders throughout the production, packing, retail and foodservice industries.

“I can’t say enough good about the past winners,” Colvin says. “They’re great, great students and I’m proud to be associated with them.”

The Colvin Scholarship Fund began in 1999 when Colvin retired as CAB executive director. The scholarships recognize his role in making dreams a reality and inspiring others to be their best. Colvin co-founded the CAB program in 1978, leading to establishing the world’s leading brand of fresh beef.

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