Eleven Students Receive Scholarships
From West Texas Agricultural Chemicals Institute

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-6101, t-mcalavy@tamu.edu

LUBBOCK -- The West Texas Agricultural Chemicals Institute (WTACI) awarded 11 college scholarships totaling $7,000 at its 49th annual educational conference held Sept. 19 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

Founded here in 1953, the institute is a consortium of educators, producers, chemical company dealers and representatives, and other agribusiness leaders. The institute focuses on promoting environmentally sound use of pesticides and other ag chemicals needed in high-yield agriculture.

Since 1983, the institute has presented more than $49,000 in college scholarships (funded by its conferences and gifts) to more than 55 agriculture students attending several universities.

This year’s scholarship recipients included seven undergraduate graduate students. They are:

• Duane Braddock, a junior at Texas Tech, majoring in agronomy; $1,000.
• Katie Yates, a junior at Texas Tech, majoring in agricultural economics; $750.
• Crystal Smith, a senior at Texas Tech, majoring in horticulture; $500.
• Jennifer Grimes, a junior at Abilene Christian University, majoring in animal science; $500.
• Jason Dobrovolny, a junior at Texas Tech, majoring in agronomy; $500.
• Bradley Obenhaus, a junior at Tarleton State University, majoring in agriculture services and development; $1,000.
• Kristin Hales, a junior at Oklahoma State University, majoring in agriculture; $500.

 The institute also awarded four scholarships to graduate students. Graduate recipients included:

• CoraLea Emerson, a crop science major at Texas Tech; $750.
• Dave Venhaus, a plant and soil science major at West Texas A&M University; $500.
• Patrick Naranjo, a plant and soil science major at West Texas A&M University; $500.
• Leonardo Camelo, an entomology major at Texas Tech; $500.