MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — More than 280 South Dakota State University students were awarded scholarships totaling more than $650,000 during the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Scholarship and Recognition Banquet on Nov. 5 in Brookings.
The annual event recognized students from every department within the college. Individual scholarship awards ranged from $2,000 to $10,000, according to SDSU.
Recipients were selected using criteria established by scholarship sponsors, including academic achievement, field of study and contributions outside the classroom. Many donors attended to present awards and meet the students receiving their support.
Joe Cassady, the college’s SD Corn Endowed Dean, thanked donors and congratulated students and their families during the celebration.
Among the recipients was Ashlyn Kovarna, a senior from Hinton, Iowa, majoring in agricultural science with minors in agricultural business, agribusiness marketing and animal science.
Kovarna received the Farmers National Company Foundation Scholarship and the Ag PhD Scholarship. She said the assistance reduces financial stress and allows her to spend more time on academics and campus activities.
“I hope one day to pay this generosity forward by supporting and encouraging future students in the same way,” Kovarna said.
The college awarded more than 160 named scholarships this year. Departments and the university’s general scholarship fund provide additional awards.
Students seeking financial aid information can contact sdsu.finaid@sdstate.edu. Those interested in supporting scholarships can contact Mark Sandager with the SDSU Alumni & Foundation at mark.sandager@sdstateloyalty.org.