By: Laurie Bedord, Chairperson of AAEA’s Future Ag Communicators Committee
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 is the goal of the AAEA The Agricultural Communicators Network scholarships, as well as our 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.
Two outstanding students have been selected to receive the 2021 scholarships.
Callie McClay, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Callie McClay has been selected to receive the Dr. James Evans Scholarship. This $3,000 scholarship is in honor of Dr. James Evans who has had a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs.
Callie McClay, University of Illinois
As the recipient, McClay is being recognized for her excellence in academics and leadership, and for exemplifying the dedication and commitment of the outstanding individual for whom this award is named.
“I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Evans on several occasions at the University of Illinois,” McClay says. “Receiving the Dr. James Evans Scholarship is completely humbling and an absolute honor.”
Heather Miller, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, says “Callie is an outstanding candidate for this scholarship because of her commitment to academic excellence, impeccable work ethic, and her desire to give of herself through volunteer activities,”
Bobby Marchy, Oklahoma State University. Bobby Marchy is being awarded the Past Presidents’ Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 each. This award recognizes his leadership, dedication, and hard work in the agriculture community.
Bobby Marchy, Oklahoma State University
“I give Bobby my highest recommendation for the scholarship based on past achievements, current hard work ethic in his academic and internship experiences, and a passion to continue to grow as an influential agriculturalist,” says Curt Nelson, Certis USA Regional Sales Manager.
Both scholarships are made possible through a grant from the Professional Improvement Foundation. The Dr. James Evans Scholarship is funded, in part, through the generosity of CoBank.
“CoBank is proud to continue its support of the AAEA scholarship program and the next generation of agricultural journalists and communicators,” says Sherry Johnson, director of corporate social responsibility with CoBank. “The students we’ve met during our involvement as a sponsor have been truly inspiring. It’s been our pleasure to partner with AAEA to support these students on their scholastic and professional journeys.”
Established by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) in 1993 and adopted by AAEA in 2004, these scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of ACT for their achievements in leadership, career-related experiences, academics and service.
Laurie Bedord is the executive editor of Ag Technology with Meredith Agrimedia.