CSES Delta Scholarship Tournament Raises $21,000; 10 Students Awarded Scholarships

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From left, Delta Classic Scholarship recipient Daniel Lam of Spring Valley, New York, and James L. Barrentine Endowed Scholarship recipient Chase Vallance of Maynard, Arkansas.

The 23rd Annual Delta Scholarship Golf Classic raised more than $21,000 and resulted in 10 students receiving scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year.

The students are all crop science majors in U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Since 2000, the tournament has funded 221 scholarships and raised $501,950.17, including this year's total of $21,803.

Held July 20 at The Ridges at Village Creek at Village Creek State Park in Wynne, the event is annually coordinated by friends, alumni, faculty and staff from the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, which houses the crop science program. Darrin Malone, southeast market development specialist with AMVAC in Paragould, served as tournament director, and Glenn Kernodle, sales representative with UPL (agrochemical company) in Wynne, served as co-director.

Jeff Edwards, head of the department, assisted in coordinating the tournament while Dan Miller, new director of development and external relations for Bumpers College, helped welcome all participants.

"A crop science degree opens the door to high-paying and rewarding careers, and industry demand for University of Arkansas crop science graduates exceeds supply," Edwards said. "These Delta Classic and Barrentine scholarships are invaluable in helping us recruit and retain crop science students who will impact Arkansas agriculture after graduation. We are very grateful for the volunteers, industry partners and tournament participants who make these scholarships possible."

Rhys Brock, Reed Spring, Missouri; Alyssa Butler, Lonoke, Arkansas; Jaime Casanovas, Fayetteville; Noah Chandler, Conway, Arkansas; Daniel Lam, Spring Valley, New York; Caleb Martin, Sidney, Arkansas; and Gage Parker, Carlisle, Arkansas, were all awarded the Delta Classic Scholarship.

Alyssa Foley, Allen, Texas; Jordan Rameriz, Jacksonville, Arkansas; and Chase Vallance, Maynard, Arkansas, were awarded the James L. Barrentine Endowed Scholarship. Barrentine is former head of the department, then the Department of Agronomy.

Corporate sponsors for the tournament were Arkansas Farm Bureau, BASF, Bayer Crop Science, CORTEVA agriscience and FMC (Food Machinery Corporation).

Winners of the 28-team tournament were:

• Flight A, Ag Council of Arkansas (Andrew Grobmyer, Little Rock; Drew Higginbothom, Forrest City; Bradshaw Lewis, Jonesboro; and Steven Rice, Palestine)
• Flight B, Progeny Ag Products (Quaterris Collins, Lathan Lovell, Luke Lovell and Garrett Peevey, all from Wynne)
• Flight C, Ag Heritage Farm Credit Services (Josh Cunningham, Lonoke; Tyrone Nash, Wheatley; J.C. Scemons, Brinkley; and Roger Wilkison, Brinkley)

Hole sponsors were Ag Council of Arkansas, Ag Heritage Farm Credit Services, AMVAC, Jim Barrentine, Greenway Equipment, Producers Rice Mill, RiceTec, Riceland Foods Foundation and U of A's CSES department.

Team sponsors included Cross County Bank, Darrin Malone, Edward Jones, Mid-South Ag Consultants, Mid-South Ag Equipment, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Pirani Farms, Progeny Ag Products, Syngenta, U of A Rice Agronomy, U of A Weed Science, United Phosphorous and USA Rice.

"Wow, 23 years and counting," Malone said. "We've created a legacy event that we should all be proud to represent. They always say time flies when you're having fun, and this scholarship fundraising event is a great example of that spirit. Our team of volunteers, friends, corporate sponsors, hole and team sponsors, alumni and support staff make this possible. I'm very grateful to all who show up and make this golf tournament happen. We couldn't do it without them! Success is peace of mind, and I believe we've been able to create the right environment for our sponsors to have fun while networking year after year. Their commitment to the student's success pays dividends not only today, but for years to come."    

Participants enjoyed a barbeque lunch prepared by Jay Gahr of Wynne and breakfast provided by Jim and Doris Barrentine. Arkansas Farm Bureau provided balls and towels, and Best Beverages and U of A Soybean Agronomy provided drinks.

Students wishing to apply for future scholarships should complete the Bumpers College scholarship application between Jan. 1 - Feb. 15.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.