Four Idaho students will attend the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in the fall of 2019 after receiving scholarship support from Chobani.
The Chobani Scholars program was established at UI in 2018 and will find four $20,000 scholarships annually, according to a press release Thursday.
The scholarships are intended for Idaho students with family connections to dairy farming who intend to pursue careers within the industry.
“We’re excited to welcome the inaugural class of Chobani Scholars into our family,” said Mark Broadhurst, senior director of public affairs at Chobani. “Supporting the next generation of dairy farms is important to us, which is why we are investing in the future of farmers through this unique program. Through this partnership with University of Idaho, the students will learn valuable skills that they can use to positively impact the dairy industry of the future.”
Chobani is also committed to funding annual scholarships at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Science in New York.
The first UI Chobani Scholars cohort group includes Raquel Dimond of Jerome who plans to study animal and veterinary science— business option, Alejandro Jimenez of Wilder who plans to study agricultural science, communication and leadership, Kaitlin Mirkin of Jerome who plans to study animal and veterinary science — pre-vet option and Avelardo Vargas of Rupert who plans to study agricultural systems management and agribusiness.
“These students are demonstrating a real commitment to the future of Idaho’s dairy industry,” said Michael P. Parrella, dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. They are one step ahead in recognizing the value a college degree will provide them as they pursue careers in an industry that is rapidly evolving and embracing technological advances to ensure efficiencies and sustainability in production. We look forward to welcoming these accomplished young Chobani scholars to the college.”
Ellamae Burnell can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EllamaeBurnell