Contact: Sammy McDavid
Wes Cowart
Mississippi State junior James W. "Wes" Cowart of Star is receiving the inaugural scholarship of a major regional financial lender.
The Federal Land Bank Association of South Mississippi recently established two scholarships for students in the university's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Cowart, an agricultural engineering technology and business major and Dean's Scholar, is a 2001 McLaurin High School graduate. He is the son of Jimmy Cowart of Braxton and Barbara Walker of Star.
In addition to the land-bank award, Cowart attends MSU as a Phi Theta Kappa Scholar in recognition of academic achievements at East Central Community College.
A part of the nationwide Farm Credit System established by Congress in 1916, the borrower-owned agribusinesses lender serves 50 of the state's 82 counties by providing a dependable credit source. The cooperative's $20,000 gift for an MSU endowment does not include an additional $1,000 provided specifically for the 2004-05 school year award.
"For more than 85 years, the Federal Land Bank of South Mississippi has specialized in long-term financing for rural lands, agribusiness and rural residences," said chief executive officer Alton K. McRee. "We are delighted to offer scholarships to outstanding students who will become the future of Mississippi agriculture," the 1977 MSU graduate added.
The endowment will enable permanent funding for future awards after a year of investment growth. As in Cowart's case, the scholarships will recognize full-time students in the college with demonstrated academic leadership achievements. Candidates for the honor must reside in a county served by the association.
"The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is very pleased that the Federal Land Bank Association has made a lasting impact on the university by creating an endowed scholarship at Mississippi State," said Jud Skelton, the college's development director.
The Federal Land Bank Association of South Mississippi Endowed Scholarship welcomes other contributors. For more information, contact Skelton at (662) 325-0643.