BROOKINGS (11-6-26) — More than 280 students were awarded scholarships totaling more than $650,000 as part of the South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Scholarship and Recognition Banquet on Nov. 5 in Brookings. The annual celebration of student achievement honored students representing every department within the college.
“We are excited to once again gather to celebrate our talented, intelligent and motivated students. Thank you to our incredible donors who make celebrations like this possible,” said Joe Cassady, SD Corn Endowed Dean for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, in his welcome to banquet attendees. “Congratulations to all of our students being honored tonight, and congratulations to their parents, friends and family. I’m sure you’re very proud of your student, and we are very proud of them, too.”
Scholarships ranged from $2,000 to $10,000 and are awarded based on the selection criteria set by the scholarship sponsor, with some going to students in specific programs of study, some to students who have excelled academically, and others reward student contributions outside of the classroom. Donors of the awards are invited to attend the ceremony, and many attend, as able, to present the scholarship in person and meet their recipient. Most of the scholarships are named in honor of specific people, either college alumni, friends of the college or family and friends of the donor, and meeting with the representatives allows students to learn more about their scholarship’s namesake. Other scholarships are sponsored by organizations who see the value in supporting the future of the agriculture industry.
One of the honored students, Ashlyn Kovarna, is thankful for the award sponsors and hopes to return the favor in the future.
“Receiving these scholarships is an honor and a true testament that hard work pays off,” Kovarna, a senior from Hinton, Iowa, said. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and the generosity of the donors who make scholarships like these possible. I hope one day to pay this generosity forward by supporting and encouraging future students in the same way.”
Kovarna, who is majoring in agricultural science with minors in agricultural business, agribusiness marketing and animal science, said the scholarships help reduce the financial stress of paying for college and allow her to dedicate more time to her studies and campus involvement at SDSU. She is involved with the Collegiate Cattlemen, Block and Bridle and Little International student organizations.
At the banquet, Kovarna received the Farmers National Company Foundation Scholarship and the Ag PhD Scholarship, two of more than 160 scholarships awarded from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences this year that will help cover the costs of students’ tuition. She is grateful for the ongoing donor support for current Jackrabbits.
“I would like to sincerely thank all the scholarship donors for their generosity toward students like me. I am incredibly grateful for their support and the opportunities it creates,” Kovarna said. “Having their support makes it easier to pursue my education here at SDSU and focus on my career goals. Knowing that these donors are investing in our futures is encouraging and something that I will always appreciate.”
A full list of named scholarships awarded this fall and this year’s winners is available on the college blog. Each department within the college, as well as the university’s general scholarship fund, award additional scholarships to students each year, but there is still a need for additional support. More than 90% of students attending SDSU receive some form of institutional financial aid; more information is available by contacting sdsu.finaid@sdstate.edu.
Those interested in starting or contributing to a scholarship are encouraged to contact Mark Sandager with the SDSU Alumni & Foundation at mark.sandager@sdstateloyalty.
About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 41 master’s degree programs, 19 Ph.D. and two professional programs.
The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU’s research expenditures for the 2026 fiscal year were more than $86 million. SDSU has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation on The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
For more information: SDSU News • www.sdstate.edu
— From SDSU University Marketing and Communications
