WORTHINGTON, Ohio-The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation (OSCF) is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Undergraduate scholarships of $3,000 each was awarded to Jordan Bonham, Sarah Peterson, Stacie Seger, Summer McCracken, Kelly Fager and Emily Limes. The fourth annual $3,000 Farmer, Lumpe + McClelland (FLM) Scholarship, awarded to a student in the field of agriculture communications or business, was awarded to Meghan Bennett. The annual $5,000 Bhima Vijayendran Scholarship, named in honor of a Battelle research scientist who has made tremendous contributions to the soybean industry, was awarded to Hillary Hall.

Two graduate scholarships of $5,000 were awarded to Grace Bluck and Brinda Mehta.

This is the seventh year for the OSCF Scholarship Program, which was created to encourage undergraduate students to pursue careers in agriculture, as well as to support ongoing graduate-level research. All OSCF scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to full-time students enrolled at an Ohio college or university.

“Congratulations to all of the 2014-2015 OSCF scholarship winners,” said Amy Sigg Davis, Ohio Soybean Council board member and soybean farmer from Warren County who also serves on the scholarship selection committee. “Every year we look forward to seeing what the students will accomplish as they pursue careers in the field of agriculture and continue to make advancements in the soybean industry.”

Hillary Hall of Marysville, Ohio, is majoring in food science & technology at The Ohio State University (OSU) and will be a senior in the fall of 2014. Hillary currently serves as Secretary for the OSU Collegiate Young Farmers and is a member of the OSU Food Science Club. In 2013 Hillary participated in a College of Food, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CFAES) study tour to China. As a food science & technology major, Hillary aspires to work in a field that contributes to the industry by finding new and innovative uses for soybeans.

Meghan Bennett of Houston, Ohio, is majoring in agricultural communication at OSU and will be a junior in the fall of 2014. Meghan has held internships with the Shelby Soil and Water Conservation District, Beck’s Hybrids and Farm Safety For Just Kids as their Ohio Outreach Coordinator. She has also participated in study abroad programs in Costa Rica and Brazil. Meghan is a member of the Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, Agriculture Future of America and would like to pursue a career as an agricultural lobbyist.

Jordan Bonham of Washington Court House, Ohio, is majoring in agricultural communication at OSU and will be a junior in the fall of 2014. Jordan represents the CFAES as a college ambassador and serves as President of the Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority. Her work experience includes an internship with Helena Chemical Company, Seed Consultants and student reporter at the Ohio FFA Convention with Ohio’s Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net. Jordan plans to pursue a career in seed sales and marketing.

Sarah Peterson of Sabina, Ohio, is majoring in agribusiness and applied economics at OSU and will be a junior in the fall of 2014. Sarah is involved with the Agribusiness Club, Alpha Zeta Partners and represents the CFAES as a college ambassador. Sarah has previously interned with Bluegrass Farms of Ohio and has worked for the 130^th Ohio House of Representatives. After graduation, Sarah would like to become a spokesperson for agriculture and work in the field of agricultural communication and marketing.

Stacie Seger of Fort Loramie, Ohio, is majoring in agricultural communication at OSU and will be a senior in the fall of 2014. Stacie is President of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club and also represents the CFAES as a campus ambassador. Stacie has participated in study abroad programs in Ecuador, Ireland and Brazil. She also interned with Ohio’s Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net, Farmer, Lumpe + McClelland and currently serves as the Undergraduate Trustee on the OSU Board of Trustees. Stacie plans to pursue a career in agricultural communication.

Summer McCracken of Anna, Ohio, is majoring in agribusiness and applied economics at OSU and will be a sophomore in the fall of 2014. Summer currently works in the CFAES Dean’s Office and is involved with the CFAES Recognition Banquet Steering Committee, Agribusiness Club, Saddle and Sirloin Club and Buckeyes Against Hunger. Summer would like to pursue a career as a hiring manager in the field of agribusiness and applied economics.

Kelly Fager of Wauseon, Ohio, is majoring in agricultural communication at OSU and will be a senior in the fall of 2014. Kelly is currently involved with the OBIC Bioproducts Innovation Center as a student assistant and student supervisor, president of OSU Collegiate Young Farmers and represented the OSU Agricultural Technical Institute as a campus tour guide. She previously held two internships with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood County Farm Bureau. Kelly would like to pursue a career as an agricultural communicator.

Emily Limes of Bowling Green, Ohio, is majoring in agribusiness and applied economics at OSU and will be a senior in the fall of 2014. Emily has been an intern with The Wendt Group, Dow AgroSciences and the Ohio Youth Swine Committee. Emily is a member of the OSU Livestock Judging Team and recently traveled to Jamaica to promote agricultural micro businesses for youth entrepreneurs with a non-profit called World Changers. Emily plans to pursue a career in agriculture, specifically in the area of marketing.

Grace Bluck of Clarksburg, Ohio, is pursuing a master’s degree in horticulture and crop science at OSU. She is currently conducting research in nine locations throughout Ohio while focusing on five different management practices to determine which practices lead to higher soybean quality traits and yield.

Brinda Mehta of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is pursuing a Ph. D. in polymer science at the University of Akron. Her current research focuses on the conversion of plant-based oils such as soybean oil to useful polymers or composites to achieve the mechanical and thermal properties of traditional polymers derived from petroleum-based oils.

About OSCF

Established by the Ohio Soybean Council in 2007, the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of the soybean industry with the support of scientific research and education.  soyohio.org/scholarship

About OSC

Headquartered in Worthington, the Ohio Soybean Council is governed by a volunteer farmer board, which directs the Soybean Promotion and Research Program.  The program’s primary goal is to improve soybean profitability by targeting research and development, education and promotion projects through the investment of farmer-contributed funds (checkoff).  soyohio.org

Media Contact

Jennifer Coleman
Ohio Soybean Council
614.476.3100
jcoleman@soyohio.org