Panhandle State Foundation Awards Largest Single Scholarship

Thanks to a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, the Panhandle State Foundation has awarded its single largest scholarship ever for the 2024-2025 academic year. The new Lee Agriculture Scholarship, which is a renewable scholarship of $10,000 per year, was awarded for the first time since the endowment was created in 2023.

“The generosity of our donor and their desire to change the lives of OPSU students is inspiring,” said University President Dr. Julie Dinger. “The impact this will have on our agriculture programs will be felt for generations.”

The scholarship selection was highly competitive, and the criteria focused on commitment to agriculture, advocacy in the agricultural community, academic achievement, and program engagement. The scholarship provides $10,000 annually and will automatically renew each year for up to eight consecutive semesters as long as the student maintains a 3.0 GPA. The endowment will provide one $10,000 scholarship in its first year and up to four $10,000 scholarships in future years.

Chyanna Black, Executive Director of the Foundation, said, “We are grateful to our donor for the opportunity this scholarship gives OPSU students. Over several months, we worked closely with the donor to ensure that this endowment was set up to make the biggest impact possible for our students while leaving a lasting legacy for the donor! The reaction of the student that was awarded this scholarship achieved that goal and reminds us just how blessed we are in the Foundation office to have the donors that we have.”

The Panhandle State Foundation awarded 264 scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year, totaling more than $307,000 in private scholarships for OPSU students in addition to $230,000 in general scholarships to support the University. More information on the Panhandle State Foundation and available scholarships can be found on the website.