2020-2021 Scholarship Recipients
Undergraduate Winners
Kevin Fruth of Fostoria, Ohio, a junior at the University of Toledo studying chemical engineering.
Courtney Heiser of Attica, Ohio, a sophomore at The Ohio State University studying agricultural communication. (Robinson W. Joslin)
Chyann Kendel of Eaton, Ohio, a sophomore at Wilmington College studying animal science and education.
Wyatt Kissell of Mount Vernon, Ohio, a freshman at The Ohio State University studying agronomy.
Alex Kutz of Valley City, Ohio, a junior at The Ohio State University studying agricultural systems management.
Sarah Lehner of Delaware, Ohio, a junior at The Ohio State University studying animal sciences and agribusiness and applied economics.
Holly Schmenk of Leipsic, Ohio, a sophomore at The Ohio State University studying animal science and agribusiness and applied economics.
Anna Tobler of Galloway, Ohio, a junior at The Ohio State University studying chemical engineering. (Bhima Vijayendran)
Jacob Wuebker of Versailles, Ohio, a sophomore at Wright State University studying agricultural business.
Graduate Winners
Tu Huynh of Vietnam, who is pursuing her doctorate in horticulture and crop science at The Ohio State University. Huynh is studying the genes that control oil and protein components in soybeans to in order to breed soybeans with better composition without sacrificing yield.
Asritha Nallapaneni of India, who is pursuing her doctorate in polymer engineering at the University of Akron. Her research consists of developing a multi-functional coating with polymers derived from soybean oil.
Christian Vargas Garcia of Puerto Rico, who is pursuing his doctorate in plant breeding and genetics at The Ohio State University. His research focuses on breeding soybeans that are resistant to phytophthora root rot. His hope is to allow farmers to decrease their input costs for fungicides while meeting consumer demand for reduced use of chemicals in farming.
Blaire Volbers of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who is pursuing her doctorate in chemical engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Her research consists of developing higher-value products from raw soybeans, including the oil, meal and leftover plant matter. Her research will also include creating lesson plans for high school students that demonstrate how local crops such as soybeans can be processed into other products.
