News Release

MADISON, WI, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 – The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) will present the following 2010 Scholarships and Fellowships at their Annual Meetings on Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Long Beach, CA, www.acsmeetings.org.

• The Hank Beachell Future Leader Scholarship, funded through the Agronomic Science Foundation, was established in recognition of Henry A. Beachell’s commitment to advancing the knowledge of agriculture through his work in rice breeding and development. The purpose is to expand the agricultural knowledge of undergraduate students participating in activities that enhance their university studies. The ASA 2010 Hank Beachell Future Leader Scholarship will be presented to: Jason Cavadini – University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Jason Cavadini is a senior majoring in crop and soil science at The University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He is currently serving as the Vice President of the UW-River Falls Crops and Soils Club. Cavadini has gained agricultural experience through employment with Dow AgroSciences and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Soil Science. He has also facilitated an independent research on the impact of row spacing on sediment and phosphorus losses in no-till soybeans. He plans to attend graduate school to focus on soil fertility and nutrient management upon graduating in the spring of 2011.

• The United Soybean Board Fellowship promotes graduate education in the area of plant sciences, emphasizing the development of improved soybean varieties, understanding soybean genetics, and developing improved ways to grow and use soybeans. The intention of the fellowship is to attract the highest quality students whose careers will continue to advance the science of soybean improvement. Funds for the fellowship are provided by the United Soybean Board. The 2010 United Soybean Board Fellowship will be presented to:

• The Cross-Cultural Experience Program is awarded to an undergraduate student going on a study abroad. It provides the student with summer learning and working experience to learn more about agricultural sciences and agricultural education through international agricultural programs. It also provides an opportunity for students to live with students of another culture and language. It is funded through the Agronomic Science Foundation, Lewis B. Nelson Fund. The 2010 Cross-Cultural Experience Scholarship will be presented to: April Maxwell – Auburn University. April Maxwell is a sophomore majoring in agronomy and soils at Auburn University. She is also the secretary of the Agronomy Club at Auburn University. After graduation, she plans to acquire a Ph.D. in agronomy. Then she will pursue a career as a professor. She will study abroad at Northwest Agricultural & Forestry University in China during the summer of 2011.

• The Frank D. Keim Graduate Fellowship is awarded to enhance the National Student Recognition Program and to honor the unparalleled academic advising of the late Frank D. Keim, whose students and work have reached around the world. It is funded by the Frank D. Keim Fund of the Agronomic Science Foundation. The 2010 Frank D. Keim Graduate Fellowship is awarded to: Jared Crain – Oklahoma University. Jared Crain received a B.S. in plant and soil science at Oklahoma State University, and is working toward an M.S. at Oklahoma State University with emphasis in soil nutrient management. As a Fulbright Scholar, Jared is conducting research to extend sensor based nitrogen management technology to developing countries. His current research is in collaboration with Oklahoma State University and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

• The J. Fielding Reed Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding undergraduate senior pursuing a career in soil or plant sciences. It was established in recognition of Dr. Reed's life-long commitment to advancing the knowledge of agriculture through his work in soil science and natural resources, and his passion for educating students. It is funded through the Agronomic Science Foundation. The 2010 J. Fielding Reed Scholarship is award to: Ross Bender – University of Illinois. Ross Bender is a M.S. student in crop physiology at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He received a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in crop and soil sciences. His graduate program focuses mainly on nitrogen use efficiency and products/practices that may enhance the uptake and use of nitrogen. Specifically, he is analyzing nitrification inhibitors that may prevent nitrification, potentially allowing nitrogen to remain in the soil longer until nitrogen intensive reproductive stages occur.

• The CSSA Gerald O. Mott Scholarship is provided to a meritorious student who has completed at least one year of graduate work leading to an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in a field of emphasis within crop science and who has outstanding potential for leadership. The scholarship is supported through a contribution by Mrs. Lorraine Mott and family and contributions to the Agronomic Science Foundation. The 2010 Gerald O. Mott Scholarship will be presented to: James Rutledge – Purdue University. James Rutledge received a B.S. and M.S. from North Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. from Purdue University. His doctoral research at Purdue University focused on understanding the morphology and physiology of roughstalk bluegrass. Dr. Rutledge is currently a product development manager working in herbicide development at Bayer CropScience. His responsibilities include commercial development of new herbicide active ingredients and continued expansion of existing registered products.
  
  

• The Golden Opportunity Scholars Institute is a program of the CSSA that matches undergraduates with scientist-mentors during the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Annual Meetings. The program encourages talented students to enter the crop sciences, cultivate networks, and develop the necessary workforce to sustain the profession. The following undergraduates have been selected as 2010 Golden Opportunity Scholars based on their academic achievements and interest in crop science:

• The National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS) Scholarship was established to encourage undergraduate students to major in soil science degree programs. The scholarship recruits top quality students into nationally recognized soil science programs to meet the expanding and diverse needs of this field. The NSCSS also encourages soil science degree graduates to pursue a career in the field of professional consulting soil science to meet the various public needs and practical applications of this science. Funds for the scholarship are made available by a gift from the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, Inc. The 2010 National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists Scholarships will be awarded to:

• The Francis and Evelyn Clark Soil Biology Scholarship was established to recognize the importance of soil biology and the understanding of soil, plant, and microbial interactions and of nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. The scholarship is supported by a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Francis Clark to the Agronomic Science Foundation and administered by the Soil Science Society of America. The 2010 Francis and Evelyn Clark Soil Biology Scholarship will go to Raj Setia – University of Adelaide. Raj Setia received a B.S. from Rajasthan Agriculture University, India and a M.S. from Punjab Agriculture University, India. He was awarded an EIPRS and The University of Adelaide Scholarship and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in soils at the University of Adelaide, Australia. His dissertation is titled, “Understanding organic matter dynamics in salt affected soils by linking remote sensing, organic matter chemistry and modeling”.