College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science Scholarship and Recognition Banquet
BROOKINGS, S.D. — It’s no secret that college is a significant expense, but for many students, scholarships can help alleviate that financial burden. On Nov. 5, nearly 300 South Dakota State University students were awarded scholarships as part of the university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science Scholarship and Recognition Banquet.
The scholarships totaled more than $650,000, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 each, and were awarded to students in various agricultural majors.
Ashlyn Kovarna, a senior agricultural science major from Merrill, Iowa, received multiple scholarships this year, which will assist in covering the cost of her education as she prepares to enter the livestock industry.
“I received the Ag PhD scholarship and the National Farmers Foundation scholarship, and it’s just an honor to get those scholarships to help with financial issues and don’t really have to worry about the stress of money wise, paying for college,” Kovarna said.
Having that financial support allows students like Kovarna to focus more on their education.
“I can just focus more on my academics and really like focusing and being in my schoolwork and just having fun here. Having the scholarships, I can just kind of relax and have fun and just enjoy it,” Kovarna said.
Growing up on a farming operation, Kovarna was motivated to pursue an agricultural degree.
“We have cattle and crops, so I am just really involved in that and I just really enjoy being in the agricultural world,” she said.
In addition to her coursework, Kovarna is involved with several student organizations, including the Collegiate Cattlemen, Block and Bridle, and Little International. She also works at the university’s Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility, which provides her with a unique perspective on raising livestock.
“Just having a different work environment, just not being just me and my dad. So, like being with my boss, Kevin, I can just learn from him, and he’s just a really awesome guy. I look up to him with everything. He teaches me so much and I just get a different perspective of the cattle industry,” she said. “So what he knows, he’s been doing it for a long time and what my dad knows, I can just kind of compare them and just keep gaining more knowledge and have fun while I’m at it.”
Kovarna expressed gratitude to the scholarship sponsors.
“I would just say, thank you. Giving these scholarships to all these students to help with financial stress and just having those scholarships just really helps all of us, not just like ag people, but everyone here,” she said. “It’s just really helpful and I just want to thank them for everything that they do.”
She encouraged other students to apply for scholarships in the future.
“I would just say do it. I mean, if you’re going to get it, if you don’t, you don’t, but you never know unless you’re going to try,” Kovarna said.
Upon graduation, Kovarna aspires to work in the livestock industry in Iowa.