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New Curt Stern Scholarship Announced
Thursday, September 15, 2005
filed under: Research and Development
The National Sunflower Association paid tribute to Curtis Stern, and announced a $10,000 contribution toward a new scholarship fund in his memory, at the group’s annual summer meeting in Spearfish, S.D.
Stern was at the forefront of the sunflower industry for decades. He served on the NSA board of directors, and was part of a committee of five that first explored the feasibility of developing mid-oleic sunflower, now known as NuSun™. He was employed with Technology Crops Incorporated (formerly Kings) before his death on Feb. 17, 2005. Before that, he was a longtime field manager with Northern Sun.
Peggy Stern, Carrington, N.D., and members of the Stern family were on hand as the NSA honored Curt Stern’s industry contributions and memory with its Gold Award, the NSA’s highest honor.
Details of the Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship were also announced. It is a permanent endowment, with grant monies to be made available for distribution beginning in the fall of 2006. Consideration will be given to students studying agriculture, with emphasis on those interested in sunflower production, promotion, or research. Preference will be given to college students in their last two years of undergraduate studies or in graduate level studies, who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The Stern Scholarship Fund is directed by an advisory committee appointed by the NSA. The Stern family holds a permanent seat on the committee, with other seats revolving amongst members of the sunflower industry. The inaugural committee consists of Peggy Stern; Steve Kent, Seeds 2000; Guy Christiansen, ADM; Bruce Due, Mycogen Seeds; and Kelly Engelstad, Dahlgren and Co.
Donations to the scholarship are fully tax deductible, and corporate foundations may make legal grants to the fund. The fund will be financially managed by the N.D. Community Foundation, an IRS Designated 501(c 3) nonprofit organization.
To contribute to the fund, checks should be written to the N.D. Community Foundation, and in the memo line, donors should indicate “Curtis Stern Memorial Scholarship Fund.” Checks can be mailed to the National Sunflower Association, 4023 State Street, Bismarck, ND, 58503.