USDA names eight SU Students National 1890 Scholars
Baton Rouge, La. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named eight Southern University students, seven of which are Agriculture majors, as 1890 National Scholars.
The Southern University USDA 1890 Scholars are:
- Kennedy Orr, a Freshman Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Agricultural Business from Chicago, IL. Orr attended the Chicago High School of Agriculture.
- Myhlan Davis, a Junior Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Plant and Soil Science from Memphis, TN.
- Floyd Harris Jr., a Junior Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Animal Science from Fresno, CA.
- Taylior Burton, a Junior Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Agricultural Business from Baton Rouge, LA.
- Jefferson Blackmon, a Sophomore Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Agricultural Business from Hutto, TX. Blackmon attended Hutto High School.
- Nyla Wilson, a Freshman Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Agricultural Business from Clinton, MD. Wilson attended Frederick Douglass High School.
- Nicholas Vallair, a Sophomore Civil Engineering major from Opelousas, LA. Vallair attended Northwest High School.
- Kenndall Bennett, a Freshman Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Plant and Soil Science from Zachary, LA.
The addition of these eight scholars brings Southern’s total number of 1890 Scholars to 13.
“The greatest significance of Southern University receiving eight additional USDA/1890 National Scholars is that its confirmation that Southern University, an 1890 Land-Grant University, continues to produce the students and future employees the federal, state and private industry seeks,” said Allison Johnson, USDA National Outreach Coordinator-East and Southern University’s USDA Liaison.
“Southern University, as a land-grant university has a purpose to recruit, retain and graduate highly qualified, competitive students to compete for agricultural and STEM-related careers. These students are poised to be the next leaders locally, throughout the state, nationally and internationally,” added Johnson.
The USDA’s 1890 National Scholars Program was established in 1992 through a partnership between the 1890 Land-Grant Universities and the USDA to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food sciences, natural resource sciences, and other related disciplines.
High school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors who exhibit exemplary leadership traits and have demonstrated community service are eligible to apply to the highly competitive program.
Students must be U.S. citizens; have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale; have been accepted for admission or currently attending an 1890 University; study agriculture or other related academic disciplines; submit an official transcript and a signed application to apply to the program.
The 1890 scholars receive a scholarship that covers full tuition fees, books, and room and board. Professional and educational opportunities are also provided to the scholars through the USDA.
“This is an opportunity to further enhance my education and hopefully inspire others to do the same especially in agriculture,” said Kennedy Orr, a freshman Agricultural Sciences major with a concentration in Agricultural Business. “It’s also very important to me that I am a role model to other minority students that are hopefully looking to get this scholarship and enjoy this opportunity as I have.”
“Southern University’s agricultural students are in demand and we (USDA) recruit from our communities to best serve our communities,” expressed Johnson.
Southern University’s returning USDA/1890 National Scholars are Rodney Purdy Jr., a Senior Urban Forestry major from Chicago, IL; Amaryia Jackson, a Sophomore Plant and Soil Sciences major from Miami, FL; Brian Ardoin, Sr., a Senior Agricultural Economics major from Ville Platte, La; Taylor St. Vilus, a Sophomore Urban Forestry major from Raleigh, NC; and Jonah Granger, a Senior Civil Engineering major from Baton Rouge, La.
For questions regarding the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, please contact the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement at 202.302.7255, 1890init@usda.gov, or visit https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/1890NationalScholars.