CAB awards Colvin Scholarships

by Steve Suther

Five students pursuing agricultural careers have been awarded $15,000 in Colvin Scholarships by the Certified Angus Beef^® brand.

“We are honored to present these awards to tomorrow’s beef industry leaders,” said John Stika, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) president. “These young people are the future and we’re happy to play even a small role in paving the way to success.”

2011 Colvin Scholarship Awards:

$5,000 – Jordan McHenry, Castle Rock, Colo. – Colorado State University
$4,000 – Shannon Watson, Stillwater, Okla. – Oklahoma State University
$3,000 – Karl Dawn Hobbs, Beloit, Kan. – Kansas State University
$2,000 – Amy Sents, McPherson, Kan. – Kansas State University
$1,000 – Erin Karney, Las Animas, Colo. – Colorado State University

The award began in 1999 when Louis M. “Mick” 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 the company to establish the world’s premium brand of fresh beef.

Scholarship applicants wrote an essay addressing the following: As the next generation of producers, what do you see as the significant challenge(s) facing the CAB brand and the beef industry in the next 10 years? What solutions would you offer for meeting those challenges?

Top applicant Jordan McHenry wrote, “There is an ever-increasing need to educate consumers about where food comes from, specifically animal agriculture. By ensuring we provide safe, wholesome beef for families, Americans will believe in the importance of agriculture. As a result of education, consumers will be better able to make informed decisions at the grocery meat case. The Certified Angus Beef^® brand and the beef industry must meet these challenges …”

McHenry is a senior animal science and agriculture business major at Colorado State University and received the $5,000 Colvin Scholarship. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in meat science to prepare for a career as an industry advocate.

Shannon Watson is an agricultural economics and agricultural communications major at Oklahoma State University. She will pursue a career in agricultural advocacy through law, legislation, economic analogy and communications. Watson plans to study abroad this spring in Sierra Leone, Africa. An active member of the Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, she enjoys barrel racing, team roping and taking an active role in Four Aces Cattle Connections, at Blairstown, Mo. She received a $4,000 Colvin Scholarship.

Karl Dawn Hobbs is a senior at Kansas State University, double majoring in agriculture education and animal science and industry production. She plans a career teaching agriculture to both high school and college students. A member of the KSU Collegiate Cattle Women and the KSU Livestock Judging Team, Hobbs received a $3,000 Colvin Scholarship.

Amy Sents is a senior at Kansas State University majoring in animal science and industry/pre-vet, and international agriculture. In 2010, Sents was an international 4-H Youth Exchange representative to Germany and Switzerland, and participated in the KSU animal science industry tour to South Africa. In 2009, she was a USDA White House liaison intern. Sents received a $2,000 Colvin Scholarship.

Erin Karney is a junior animal science and agricultural business major at Colorado State University. She plans to attend graduate school and earn a meat science degree. On the CSU intercollegiate meats judging team and participant in the Reciprocal Meat Conference, Karney received a $1,000 Colvin Scholarship.

Funds for the scholarship are raised annually at the CAB Annual Conference through a golf outing and auction. The top two scholarship recipients win an all-expense-paid trip to the 2011 CAB Annual Conference in Sun River, Ore., for an opportunity to interact with leaders throughout the production, packing, retail and foodservice industries.

The CAB brand, owned by some 30,000 members of the American Angus Association, works with thousands of ranchers across North America to provide consumers with the most consistent, highest quality beef available. For producer information, visit www.cabcattle.com; or for consumer information, www.certifiedangusbeef.com.

CAB Colvin Scholarship offers $9,000 to students

by Laura Nelson

A decade after retiring as executive director of the world’s premiere branded beef company, Louis M. “Mick” Colvin’s dedication to leadership in the beef industry is unwavering.

College juniors and seniors who share Colvin’s passion for the beef industry are encouraged to apply for the $9,000 in scholarships sponsored by Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) and the Colvin Scholarship fund.

Five students who demonstrate their commitment to the beef industry through the pursuit of a degree in meat, food or animal science, marketing, business, communications or other related degree will be eligible for the scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 in value.

The winner of the $3,500 scholarship may be invited to a paid internship with the company the following summer. The top two recipients will be encouraged to attend the 2010 CAB® Annual Conference in Puerto Rico, all-expenses paid. Students will have the opportunity to interact with leaders of the beef production, packing, foodservice and retail industry at the conference.

Students’ applications will be evaluated based on activities and scholastic achievement, communication skills and reference letters. The application deadline is Nov. 16.

For more information and an application, students should visit http://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/press/colvin/index.php or contact Trudi Hoyle at 800-225-2333, ext. 211.