Closes April 15
Undergraduate college students pursuing agricultural communications careers should apply now for up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Agricultural Communicators Network.
Two scholarships will be awarded in 2024 to members of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) who have demonstrated commitment to their education and career goals.
Two finalists will be selected to participate in an in-person interview for the top scholarship: The Dr. James Evans Scholarship, which is offered in the amount of $3,000. Dr. James Evans, emeritus professor of agricultural communications and journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has had a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs and serves as a mentor for hundreds of former and present students. The recipient 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.”
The second-place winner will receive the Past Presidents’ Scholarship of $1,500.
The Dr. James Evans Scholarship is made possible through an endowment from ACN member Lyle E. Orwig, and the Past President’s scholarship is made possible through donations to the ACN Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF).
“Thanks to the generous contribution of Lyle Orwig and many other donors, we continue to invest in the development of the next generation of ag communications professionals,” said Julie Deering, ACN PIF Trustee Chair. “Through scholarships such as these, young professionals are able to further pursue their education and take advantage of opportunities that will ready them for the career of their choosing while positively contributing to the field.”
Finalists will be asked to participate in an on-site interview at the Agricultural Media Summit, the largest annual conference of agricultural communicators in the U.S. The two finalists will each receive travel stipends of up to $1,000 to attend the Summit, which fosters networking and learning from industry experts. This year’s Ag Media Summit will be Aug. 4-7 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Applicants must be current members of ACT and enrolled as an undergraduate student at a university or college during the time of their application.
Recipients will be selected based on the following:
● Ag communications internships and career-related experiences (25%)
● Writing skills, demonstrated through a sample (25%)
● Leadership activities (15%)
● Academic achievements (15%)
● Reference recommendation (15%)
● General neatness and completion of application (5%)
The 2024 ACN Scholarship Application Form and 2024 ACN Scholarship Reference Form are available online at www.agcommnetwork.com/scholarships.
Students who do not have active ACT chapters at their colleges or universities may join the National ACT at any time by emailing their interest to nact.treasurer@gmail.com and nact.president@gmail.com and paying the $17 membership dues.
Applications are due on or before Monday, April 15, 2024.
Contact Courtney Girgis, ACN Future Ag Communicators Committee chair, at cllgirgis@gmail.com with any questions