By Laurie Bedord, Chair, Future Ag Communicators Committee, Meredith Agrimedia
John F. Kennedy once said, “We must do all that we can to give our children the best in education and social upbringing for while they are the youth of today, they shall be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Nurturing and investing in our youth are the goals of the AAEA ACT scholarships, as well as the AAEA editorial and marketing communications internships. Through these opportunities we strive to recognize the very best students and support them in their endeavor to join our profession.
Four outstanding students have been selected to receive the 2020 AAEA ACT scholarships.
Madelyn Main, Iowa State University. “As an alumni relations and event intern in my office, Madelyn demonstrated a warm and professional demeanor and a strong work ethic,” says Melea Reicks Licht, Director, Alumni Relations, Iowa State University. “No task was too large for her to tackle, or too small for her to offer her best.”
Macy Evans, Iowa State University.
“Macy’s heart is in Iowa and helping to promote agriculture and ag education in any manner possible,” says Robin Taylor, Assistant Director, Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. “She has a great work ethic, is dedicated, dependable, and shows the desire to succeed plus always exhibits a ready smile and natural ease with people. She is truly an ambassador for Iowa agriculture. Without hesitation, I can state that Macy would represent the qualities needed as a recipient of your award.”
Jessica Wesson, University of Arkansas.
“I have known Jessica for years – first as an outstanding 4-H Youth Leader prior to college and since as she excelled in agricultural communications on campus,” says Richard Cartwright, Senior Associate Vice President for Agriculture Extension and Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. “She worked for us as a communications intern, and she is an exceptional writer. Jessica is mature beyond her years and is among the best of the best.”
Kylee Kohls, South Dakota State University. “It’s rare to come across young people who inspire a sense of confidence in the future of our industry packaged with a skillset we’ll need to tackle the challenges agriculture faces,” says Nicole Erceg, Assistant Director, Communications, Certified Angus Beef, LLC. “Kylee is one of the few who possess both. I had the pleasure of hiring and managing her as the Certified Angus Beef producer communications intern during the summer of 2019. She showed such character and skill we’ve invited her to come back and intern on our consumer communications team this year.”
Of the four finalists, one will be chosen to receive the top scholarship of $3,000, which is in honor of Dr. James Evans who has had a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs.
The candidate selected to receive this scholarship is recognized for “excellence in academics and leadership, and for exemplifying the dedication and commitment of the outstanding individual for whom this award is named.” As part of the selection process, each student will be interviewed during the Agricultural Media Summit (July 25 to 29, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri) to determine who will receive the $3,000 scholarship.
The remaining three students will be awarded the Past President’s Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 each.
A luncheon to honor all four students will be held on Monday, July 27, 2020, during the Agricultural Media Summit. The student chosen to receive the Dr. James Evans Scholarship will be announced at the luncheon.
All four scholarships are made possible through a grant from the AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation.
Established by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) in 1993 and adopted by AAEA in 2004, AAEA scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of ACT for their achievements in leadership, career-related experiences, academics and service.
Congratulations to the four finalists!