Four TAMU-C animal science majors selected for scholarships

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Just prior to the July 21 NETBIO sale, the scholarship winners received their checks from two of the selection committee members, (standing, from left) Amy DeVries and Dwyatt Bell. The recipients of this year's $4,000 scholarship funds are (seated, from left) Sara Hurst, Lisa Jividen, Whit Dale, and Rebecca Carden. -- Staff photo by Cope

July 29, 2004 - Four Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMU-C) students were recently selected as this year's recipients of the Jim Jacobs Memorial NETBIO Scholarship. This is the second year the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization has conducted the scholarship program, in memory of NETBIO promoter Jim Jacobs.

Although scholarship applications are solicited from several Northeast Texas colleges and universities, the selection committee, this year, chose students that all happen to attend TAMU-C.

Dwyatt Bell, a member of the scholarship selection committee, said they look at students with at least 60 hours of college credit and that have "excelled in their grades and are involved in leadership activities. ... Of course the emphasis (for NETBIO) is the beef industry, so we look at students who are planning to pursue a degree and career that will enhance the beef industry. And, we select students we hope will benefit this area of Texas."

A total of $4,000 was distributed among the scholarship recipients. On July 21, the scholarship recipients were introduced at the NETBIO special feeder/stocker calf sale in Sulphur Springs. Funds for the scholarships are generated from the 60-cents/head, sold at the NETBIO sale, contributed by Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission, according to SSLC co-owner David Fowler.

This year's scholarship recipients are:

Rebecca Carden - As an animal science/pre-vet major, Rebecca has plans to have a practice that works with large animals, and small animals. "I plan to focus as much on prevention as possible in order to prevent (livestock health) problems before they start. ... I also plan to work with producers to improve efficiency and performance through nutrition and regular vaccination programs."

Rebecca, who also has plans with her husband to own a cattle and horse operation, is from southeastern Oklahoma. She plans to graduate TAMU-C in May 2005 and will put her application into the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine this summer.

Whit Dale - A Hunt County native, Whit is majoring in animal science/biology with plans to further his college education to become a livestock nutritionist. "It's all about being able to feed efficiently," he pointed out; and in times when resources are limited, the more efficiently a producer can feed their cattle, or livestock, the better.

Whit, a fifth-generation ag producer, said "growing up on a cattle operation has made me want to continue my ties with the beef industry. Whether I was in the show ring, planting winter pastures, or sitting in the sale barn, beef continues to be a major part of my world. ... Though I will always be involved with cattle, I would really love to find a profession which allows me to promote and improve the beef industry."

Sara Hurst - As an animal science/pre-vet major, Sara feels her dedication to the veterinary profession comes at a time it's most needed. "I plan to be a large animal vet ... (because) I read an article that said there is a shortage of these in the United States. This is tragic because the large animal is what feeds us. ... I've been told by many people that there isn't any money in being a large animal veterinarian, but I don't want to do it for the money. I want a job where I wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work."

Sara, a graduate of North Hopkins High School, is married and also has plans to continue raising Arabian horses and cattle. Her love of large animals is what drew her to work towards a veterinary career. "I can't think of any career I would enjoy more than one that allows me to care for and nuture these animals."

Lisa Jividen - When this Alabama native visited the TAMU-C campus, she said she knew it was where she would pursue an animal science/pre-vet degree. Currently, Lisa works for Dr. J.D. Norris at his Sulphur Springs vet clinic; but when she opens her own clinic, Lisa said she plans on having a "mixed" practice, but with an emphasis on beef cattle and equine.

Lisa, and the other pre-vet majors, pointed out the coursework can be difficult. "I'd say the hardest courses are organic chemistry and calculus," Lisa said.

When applying for the scholarship, she noted, "When I was a young girl, beef cattle production was a flourishing business, but I have sadly watched the local ranchers turn to other forms of agriculture as a way of income. I was very interested in learning about the NETBIO program, and the affect it is having on smaller ranchers."

For information on applying for the 2005 Jim Jacobs Memorial NETBIO scholarship, contact Bell at 903-885-7608.