WT Students Among Those Chosen for $100,000 in Scholarships from Certified Angus Beef

Contact: Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Six West Texas A&M University students and two alumni were among the recipients of a record-breaking $100,000 in scholarships from Certified Angus Beef’s Colvin Scholarship Fund.

According to CAB, scholarship recipients are each actively pursuing a career in production agriculture, industry research or other agricultural endeavors. With their aspirations for success in the beef business, they are continuing the legacy of CAB’s co-founder and long-time executive director, Louis “Mick” Colvin.  

The eight WT recipients won more than 37 percent of the scholarships provided by CAB, and WT was represented by more students than any other University.

Since its inception 25 years ago, the Colvin Scholarship Fund has provided 176 scholarships totaling $633,500 to deserving students. These future leaders exemplify a strong commitment and passion for the beef industry, making them worthy ambassadors of the brand, CAB officials said.

“We are very proud of the WT Ag students and alumni who earned the prestigious Colvin Scholarships this year,” said Dr. David Lust, head of the WT Department of Agricultural Sciences. “It is particularly notable that our students at multiple levels were chosen. Whether undergraduates, graduate students or even alumni, our WT Ag students shine. Their success speaks to the ongoing excellence of our departmental programs over time, and the dedication of our outstanding faculty in providing industry relevant educational experiences.”

The top recipients in each category were awarded $7,500 with additional scholarships recognizing educational merit and community involvement for production agriculture, undergraduate and graduate students.

The 2024 recipients from WT include:    

Production Agriculture Awards: 

• $6,000 – Alan George, a sophomore agricultural business and economics major from Mondovi, Wisconsin  
• $5,000 – Tucker Huseman, a junior animal science major from Ellsworth, Kansas

Graduate Awards: 

• $6,000 – Megan Eckhardt, a Ph.D. student in meat science from New Braunfels 
• $2,000 – Kasi Schneid, a Ph.D. student in feedlot nutrition from Richmond, Kentucky

Undergraduate Awards: 

• $7,500 – Ryan Heitschmidt, a senior animal science major from Nazareth 
• $2,000 – Helene Keiser, a junior animal science major from Gothenburg, Nebraska

Becca Grimes Francis, a 2022 alumna now attending South Dakota State University, won a $5,000 graduate award. Taylor McAtee, a 2022 alumna now attending Kansas State University, won a $3,000 graduate award.

As top undergraduate and graduate recipients, Heitschmidt and Eckhardt each spoke at the Annual Certified Angus Beef Conference in September.

This year’s success was made possible through funds raised at the 2023 CAB Annual Conference auction and golf outing. Top recipients from each category will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2024 Annual Conference, where they will have an opportunity to network with brand partners and share their stories.  

Recruiting and retaining the best students is a key goal of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence 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, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University students and alumni made a strong showing in winning scholarships from Certified Angus Beef's Colvin Scholarship Fund. Pictured are, from left, Alan George, Tucker Huseman, Kasi Schneid, Megan Eckhardt, Helene Keiser and Ryan Heitschmidt.

—WT—