Due to the generosity of the Lew Wentz Foundation, 71 Oklahoma State University undergraduates representing every college on the Stillwater campus will receive a total of $228,500 in financial aid for the 2015-16 academic year. Of these students, 18 are enrolled in the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The Henry Bellmon Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research coordinated the competitive selection process for Wentz awards with the help of OSU faculty and staff.

The 22 students recognized with the Wentz Leadership Award will each receive a $2,750 scholarship for their outstanding record of academic achievement, leadership and community service. The application focuses on an essay inspired by the life of Oklahoma Gov. Henry Bellmon or philanthropist Lew Wentz.

The 15 students selected for a Wentz Non-Traditional/Transitional Student Award will each receive a $1,000 scholarship in recognition for their exemplary academic success, leadership and service despite experiencing the challenges of being a non-traditional student with significant financial need.

The 34 students awarded a Wentz Research Grant will each receive $4,500 to conduct an original research project under the guidance of an OSU faculty member. These students submitted research proposals, which underwent a rigorous blind review process by the 20-member Wentz Research Committee. The results of their research will be presented April 15, 2016, at the annual Scholar Development Undergraduate Research Symposium.

“After learning about the life of Mr. Lew Wentz in depth, I have become inspired by his investment in people,” said Daniel Anderson, an Industrial Engineering and Management student from Tulsa and a Wentz Leadership Award recipient. “I would not be able to pay for college without Mr. Wentz’s generosity, and I would not have the chance to work towards success in my life. The life of Mr. Wentz encourages me and the next generation of OSU graduates to improve the quality of life of others.”

For more information about Lew Wentz scholarships and grants, and other academic opportunities at Oklahoma State University, contact The Henry Bellmon Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research at 334 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078; 405-744-7313; tim.oneil@okstate.edu, or visit http://okstate.edu/scholars.

The following CASNR students were awarded:

Wentz Leadership Award ($2,750)

OKLAHOMA
Afton
Dillon Johnson, Plant and Soil Science

Muldrow
Gretchan Moore, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Microbiology

Stillwater
Mandy Schroeder, Agricultural Leadership

IDAHO
Eagle
Lauren Clark, Agribusiness

KANSAS
Wellington
Shanlyn Hefley, Agribusiness

MISSOURI
Columbia
Julia Matera, Animal Science

Wentz Non-Traditional / Transitional Student Award ($1,000)

OKLAHOMA
Broken Arrow
David Reese, Landscape Architecture

Coyle
Heather Piersing, Agricultural Education

Stillwater
Ashley Bussell, Environmental Science
Benjamin Sprouse, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Wentz Research Grant ($4,500)

OKLAHOMA
Antlers
Caleb Smith, Animal Science
Faculty Mentor: Assistant Professor Jennifer Hernandez Gifford, Animal Science

Broken Arrow
Kaylee Gentry, Plant and Soil Science
Faculty Mentor: Regents Professor William Raun, Plant and Soil Sciences
Christian Ley, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Professor Nurhan Dunford, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Madill
Shiann Burns, Animal Science
Faculty Mentor: Professor Yinghua Huang, Botany

Mooreland
Carson Cooper, Animal Science
Faculty Mentor: Associate Professor Scott Carter, Animal Science

Oklahoma City
Anna O'Hare, Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Faculty Mentor: Professor Gail Wilson, Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Shawnee
Samantha Grider, Zoology
Faculty Mentor: Assistant Professor Polly Campbell, Integrative Biology

TEXAS
Cedar Hill
Sydney Stewart, Animal Science
Faculty Mentor: Professor Glenn Zhang, Animal Science

CONTACT: Jeff Joiner | Research Communications | 405-744-5827 | jeff.joiner@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU is America’s Brightest Orange. Through leadership and service, OSU is preparing students for a bright future and building a brighter world for all.  As Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research, and outreach. As America’s Healthiest Campus, OSU is committed to the health and well-being of its students, employees and the community. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated around 255,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world.