FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Former University of Arkansas student Tanner Thompson Shuck loved environmental sciences and felt a responsibility to preserve the environment for the future. Described by friends as caring and big-hearted, Shuck passed away unexpectedly in April 2018, but his passion will continue thanks to  a $400,000 gift to the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences to create a scholarship in his memory.

The contribution from Tami Thompson Strickland, Charles Strickland and Georgia Thompson, on behalf of the Gene and Georgia Thompson Family, will support student success at the U of A.

Shuck’s interest in environmental science was inspired by Lynn Nokes, a teacher at Har-Ber High School in Springdale, and was reinforced after meeting with Lisa Wood, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at the U of A. Shuck became a third-generation Razorback, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Gene H. Thompson and his mother, Tami Thompson Strickland, and Wood became his adviser. As a student at the U of A, Shuck received the Dr. James L. Barrentine Endowed Scholarship from the Bumpers College.

“Tanner was an exceptional student and an extraordinary young man,” Wood said. “He was enthusiastic about learning all he could in his classes and applying that knowledge to new situations outside the classroom, especially at Tyson Foods Inc. where he interned. He was highly respected by his peers for his leadership skills and thirst for knowledge. Tanner was mild mannered, would do anything for anybody and was never seen without a big smile on his face. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to know him and to have had him in my life for even a short time. Tanner’s legacy will live on through the recipients of this scholarship so generously provided by his family in his memory.”

Photo by Jake Halbert

In 2017, Shuck applied for an internship with the environmental auditing and data analytics department at Tyson Foods and was accepted as an intern for the 2017 summer program. He was mentored by Kevin Igli, senior vice president and chief environmental officer, and John Couch, senior manager, and encouraged to “think big” and pursue his dreams of protecting the planet. Shuck was so inspired by the experience, he applied again for a year-long internship in 2018 and had just been accepted prior to his passing.

Shuck was interested in graduate school, specifically a Master of Science degree in agricultural and extension education, which is what his mother earned as well. The two planned to complete research in Haiti involving the One Egg Haiti farm, in which both Tyson Foods and the University of Arkansas are involved.

“Education was truly important to Tanner,” said Tami Strickland, his mother. “He was grateful for the planning that was done by his family for his educational funding and was concerned that other students were not as fortunate.”

The Tanner Thompson Shuck Memorial Endowed Scholarship will benefit sophomore, junior or senior students majoring in environmental, soil and water science in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. First preference will be given to students who have graduated from high schools in Arkansas.

“This scholarship will ensure that students in need will have an opportunity to accomplish their dreams of protecting the environment,” Strickland said. “I always knew my child would accomplish great things and would someday change the world in the process, but now it may be through other environmental science students in the years to come.”

Tami Strickland earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business and a Master of Science in agricultural and extension education from the U of A. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in public policy with a specialization in agriculture. She and her husband, Charles, are life members of the Arkansas Alumni Association, the Chancellor’s Society and are counted as Thoroughreds for nine years of consecutive giving to the university.

About Campaign Arkansas: Campaign Arkansas is the ongoing capital campaign for the University of Arkansas to raise private gift support for the university’s academic mission and other key priorities. The campaign’s goal is to raise $1.25 billion to support academic and need-based scholarships, technology enhancements, new and renovated facilities, undergraduate, graduate and faculty research, study abroad opportunities and other innovative programs. The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in a wide spectrum of disciplines as it works to fulfill its public land-grant mission to serve Arkansas and beyond as a partner, resource and catalyst.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.