West Texas Ag Chemicals Institute Offers College Scholarships

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-6101, email: t-mcalavy@tamu.edu
Contact: Greta Schuster, (806) 651-2552, email: gschuster@mail.wtamu.edu
 
LUBBOCK – The West Texas Agricultural Chemicals Institute (WTACI) is looking for a few good college
students who may qualify for a scholarship.

Founded in 1953, WTACI is a consortium of educators, producers, consultants, chemical company dealers,
and agribusiness representatives and leaders that promotes environmentally sound use of pesticides and
other chemicals needed in sustainable, high-yield production agriculture.

The institute has presented more than $50,000 in college scholarships (funded by its annual conferences
and gifts) to more than 50 agriculture students at Abilene Christian University, Angelo State University,
Lubbock Christian University, Sul Ross State University, Texas Tech University and West Texas A&M
University since initiating these endowments in 1983.

Last year it expanded scholarship eligibility to include graduate and undergraduate students from West
Texas who are attending colleges other than the original six universities. For the purpose of these
scholarships, “West Texas” is defined as the geographical area of Texas lying west of a line running from
Wichita Falls to Del Rio.

WTACI funded six undergraduate and two graduate scholarships totaling $6,500 last year at its annual
educational conference in Lubbock. This year’s conference is set in September.

The scholarships are open to students who meet these qualifications:

     •    Agriculture major
     •    Undergraduates (sophomores, juniors, seniors) must have more than 30 semester hours
          of course credits
     •    Graduates must have completed at least one semester of a graduate program
     •    Student plans to actively pursue a career in an ag-related field
     •    Candidates qualify for only scholarship only once
     •    Recipients must attend conference to personally receive their scholarship
     •    Scholarship funds will be used to advance the recipients formal education
     •    Application should be accompanied by three letters of recommendation
     •    Application deadline is June 15
     •    Scholarship winners will be notified by August 1

College students interested in applying for an WTACI scholarship can request an application or more
information from Greta Schuster, (806) 651-2280.

Once completed, five copies of the application and letters of recommendation should be mailed to: Dr.
Greta Schuster, WTACI Scholarship Committee Chair, West Texas A&M University, Box 60998,
Canyon, TX 79016-0001.