It’s time to give something back. That’s why I feel so strongly that just about the best thing an alum of a university can do is to endow a scholarship.

It isn’t the dollar amount of the award a student receives that’s important either, although the more the better, of course. Instead, the winning of a scholarship that’s based on scholastics, leadership, and/or excelling in some endeavor such as judging can serve as a catalyst in directing a young man or woman to setting and achieving new career goals.

Maybe, just maybe, the awarding of a scholarship might cause a change in

mind-set from “I’m going to get by” to “I’m going to be the best.”

My family and I have endowed a scholarship at three universities. And, for the record, we’re not wealthy and we drive Hondas and eat hamburger.

What can you do, especially if your personal funds are quite limited? Be the sparkplug that rouses interest in putting together enough money to endow a scholarship.

Let me give you an example: The judging team I was on gave me more “tools” for life than anything else in college. I found that other members of the team
felt the same, and that we owed much to the coach.

At my request the K-State Animal Sciences and Industry sent me the database of graduates who’d been on one of this coach’s teams. I then worked up a personal letter to each, which the KSU Foundation mailed. A week later two other former team members and I started calling people.

The bottom line: twenty-seven people made a tax-deductible donation to the Dr. G.B. Marion Dairy Cattle Judging Team Scholarship, providing enough funds to endow it.

Did you have a judging team coach who in essence gave you a whole new view of life – who helped you learn to evaluate, be objective, and to speak out with your reasons for making a decision? Don’t you think there are others who feel the same and would be glad to help you get a commemorative scholarship set up?

Or, how about working to set up a scholarship for outstanding AGR collegiates at your chapter?

Believe me, you won’t regret it. n
 

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