Kansas Corn Recognizes Collegiate Honors During 2022 Symposium
At the 2022 Kansas Corn Symposium, Kansas Corn recognized students who excelled in its collegiate programs. Fifteen college students who received 2022 Next Generation Scholarships and six graduates of Kansas Corn Collegiate Academy Class Four were honored. These programs are part of an effort by the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Corn Commission to provide opportunities for college students of all majors to learn more about the corn industry, explore issues facing agriculture and embrace the ways they can impact the industry through their future career paths.
2022 Next Generation Scholarship Winners
To be considered, students or their parents must be members of the Kansas Corn Growers Association, be from Kansas or attend college in Kansas and complete the application process. Applications for both programs were reviewed by a committee of Kansas Corn leadership and industry representatives.
“Our scholarship program recognizes outstanding students who are already making contributions to agriculture and have great potential as experts in farming or providing support to our industry,” said Greg Krissek, Kansas Corn CEO. “This past year has tested these students beyond what they had ever faced before, and they have overcome these challenges with grit and determination. Corn plays a big role today in Kansas agriculture and these recipients hold great promise for our future success.”
Full list of 2022 Kansas Corn Next Generation Scholarship Recipients:
- Tatum Brunkow, Ag Economics, Wamego, KS
- Sage Collins, Ag Economics, Chanute, KS
- Kate Cooper, Ag Economics, Greenwood, NE
- Gabriel Elliott, Animal Science, Asbury, MO
- Sophie Filbert, Plant Pathology, Macksville, KS
- Nicki Kirchoff, Ag Business, Superior, NE
- Kate Langworthy, Juris Doctor, Lawrence, KS
- Nathan Ohlde, Agronomy, Clyde, KS
- Eric Peterson, Animal Science, Clifton, KS
- Carlos Pires, Agronomy, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Zoe Schultz, Ag Communications & Journalism, Grainfield, KS
- Victor Sharma, Chemical Engineering, Lawrence, KS
- Baylee Wulfhuhle, Ag Economics, Berryton, KS
- Ryan Wunder, Statistics & Data Science, Valley Falls, KS
- Sarah Zerger, Agronomy, Cheney, KS
Collegiate Academy Class 4 Graduates Recognized
Members of the fourth Collegiate Academy class were recognized during this year’s Kansas Corn Symposium for completing their program. Despite challenges brought on by COVID-19, participants expanded their knowledge about ethanol, livestock, trade, policy, education, agronomy, conservation and consumer engagement. After three in-person sessions, the students completed a capstone project to complete the program.
During the first session of the Collegiate Academy, students visited south central Kansas where they gained knowledge about export markets, grain terminals, ethanol production and water issues facing Kansas farmers. The second session took place in northwest Kansas as students met with the Mexican Consulate virtually, toured multiple agribusinesses, toured the water technology farm at Northwest Kansas Technical College and McCarty Family Farms Dairy. In October 2021, the students traveled to Washington D.C. to learn how policy affects family farms, agribusinesses and international grain markets. The students completed the program by submitting a capstone projects summarizing their experiences.
Kansas college students enrolled in 2-year or 4-year post-secondary schools are eligible to apply for Collegiate Academy. For more information on this and other collegiate programs visit kscorn.com/corn-on-campus/.
Collegiate Academy Class 4 Graduates:
- Sage Collins, Ag Economics, Chanute, KS
- Kate Cooper, Ag Economics, Greenwood, NE
- James Foote, Ag Economics, Louisburg, KS
- Adelaide Katzer, Agronomy, Louisburg, KS
- Nicki Kirchhoff, Agribusiness, Superior, NE
- Jaime Knight, Agronomy, Kansas City, KS
- Nathan Ohlde, Agronomy, Clyde, KS
- Eric Peterson, Animal Science, Clifton, KS
- Keegan Weingartner, Animal Science Pre-Vet, Topeka, KS