Written by Jordan Richardson, sophomore
The Herbert College of Agriculture created a new endowment to help students in the Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communications. The endowment was created through the work of Christopher Stripling, department head, and Robert L. Strong, Jr., associate professor at Texas A&M University, to honor his parents. Robert and his wife Jen have funded the Connie and Robert Strong Excellence Endowment.
Emoni White is the first recipient of this endowment. White is a graduate teaching assistant in the department. She completed her undergraduate degree at Tennessee State University and is choosing to continue her education at UT because of the opportunities, the agriculture program, the department, and UT’s proximity to her home in Indianapolis.
White is starting her second year in this program, and when asked what receiving this endowment means, she replied, “Receiving the Strong endowment has been a huge blessing. As someone with three siblings in college, financial support isn’t always promised. This endowment has covered the rest of the fees that the department does not cover under my contract.”
White goes on to note that each semester she lacks around $1,000. She says, “Thanks to the Strongs, I do not have to worry about coming up with the funds for this academic semester. This support allows me to focus completely on academics.” The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications is proud of White for receiving the Strong endowment and thankful to the Strongs for providing financial support to the graduate students.
