Six WT Ag Students Earn $26,000 in Certified Angus Beef Scholarships

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Six West Texas A&M University students won more than a quarter of the total scholarship dollars given to top young agriculturalists around the country.

The WT ag students were among 24 students around the nation to win a share of $100,000 from the Colvin Scholarship Fund from Certified Angus Beef.

According to a CAB news release, the Colvin Scholarship Fund has provided $833,500 to 227 students pursuing careers in agriculture and the beef industry since 2002.

“Seeing these students pursue their passions in agriculture is truly inspiring,” says Danielle Matter, CAB director of content strategy. “Each scholarship recipient is not only talented and driven but also represents the innovation, leadership and dedication that will shape the future of the beef industry. We’re proud to support their journey and excited to see the impact they’ll make for years to come.”

Scholarship winners were named in three categories: Production Agriculture, Undergraduate, and Graduate:

Production Agriculture: Will Hauerland, a graduate student in animal science from Sealy, $3,500

Undergraduate: Kade Lawrence, a senior animal science major from Canyon, $7,500

Graduate: Ryan Heitschmidt, a graduate student in animal science from Nazareth, $6,000; Shelton Luedke, an August graduate with a master’s degree in animal science from Hondo, $4,000; Bailey Lamb, an August graduate with a master’s degree in animal science from Huntsville, $3,000; and Brittley Bowers, a graduate student in animal science from Fredericksburg, $2,000

“Having been a Colvin Scholar myself, I know the impact this scholarship can have on a student’s education and professional journey,” said Dr. Loni Lucherk, WT’s Gorden W. Davis Chair in Meat Judging in the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. “It is rewarding to see WT students recognized by a program that invests in the future of our industry. These six students represent the talent, work ethic and passion for the beef industry that we strive to develop at WT. We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful to Certified Angus Beef for investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders.”

Each scholarship recipient is pursuing a career in production agriculture, industry research or another area of agriculture.

According to CAB, their commitment carries forward the legacy of CAB co-founder and long-time executive director Louis “Mick” Colvin, whose vision helped establish the scholarship program. 

Lawrence and Heitschmidt will represent WT at the CAB Annual Conference from Sept. 9 to 11.

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 65 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 41 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and three doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University students and alumni Will Hauerland, top left, Kade Lawrence, Ryan Heitschmidt, Shelton Luedke, bottom left, Bailey Lamb and Brittley Bowers won $26,000 in scholarships from Certified Angus Beef.

—WT—