A Wamego Kansas State University student is one of two College of Agriculture students recognized as 2020 Cargill Global Scholars.
Sophomore Nathan Williams, a Rock Creek grad, was chosen along with Junior Michael Dowd of Olathe for the honors. The two will receive $2,500 scholarships from the Cargill Global Scholars Program for up to two years.
Nathan Williams, sophomore in food science and industry, is a 2020 Cargill Global Scholar (courtesy of K-State).
Students selected as Cargill Global Scholars are those who demonstrate exemplary academic achievement and leadership potential while also studying in a field relevant to food, agriculture and risk management.
Williams is an ambassador for the Staley School of Leadership Studies and K-State’s pre-health program as well as a Kansas State Distinguished University Scholar, Kansas Honor Scholar, and recipient of the Taylor Agriculture Scholarship. Also a Kansas Value Added Foods Lab employee, says he’s undecided on his next steps after K-State.
“I do know that I want to continue to be an active member of rural communities like I grew up in,” says Williams. “There are a lot of issues that face rural Kansas today, many of which revolve around health and continuing agricultural growth. The Cargill Global Scholars Program is a great opportunity to continue to grow as a leader while also networking with others who have a passion for serving others, just as I do. For the next two years, I hope to learn from them and use this knowledge to make a greater impact on my community in the future.”
Dowd, former Kansas FFA and Alpha Gamma Rho alumni relations vice president, is also a member of the Student Governing Association, Meat Judging Team and Ag. Ambassadors.
“Ultimately, I want to establish wealth in underprivileged areas by helping international agribusinesses such as Cargill feed the world sustainably while providing protein to a rapidly changing population,” says Dowd. “Cargill Global Scholars provides experiential learning that I can apply back to the courses I’ve taken in K-State’s global food systems leadership program. I’m grateful and eager to learn with our cohort as we share our unique perspectives during this program.”
Counting Williams and Dowd, K-State has now had 12 global scholars selected from its student base since the program began in 2013.
The two will also participate in the program’s 8th US cohort, planned to take place at an upcoming Cargill-facilitated leadership development seminar. There, they will learn about multiple business and leadership skills and have an opportunity to network with working professionals and eight other Cargill scholars. Then in Summer 2021, they’ll rejoin the cohort and attend a seminar with international scholars.
