Academics

Long-time extension educators endow animal science scholarship

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Eugene and Carol Schurman, of Clymer, Pennsylvania, have given $50,000 to establish the Eugene and Carol Schurman Trustee Scholarship in the College of Agricultural Sciences. The scholarship will benefit students with demonstrated financial need, with first preference going to animal science majors.

Both Penn State alumni, the Schurmans are long-time educators for Penn State Extension and supporters of the college.

"Penn State Extension and the College of Agricultural Sciences have been very important in our lives, from Carol's participation as a 4-H member in Cumberland County, to providing an education for both of us, to advancing both of our careers," the couple said in a statement.

"Scholarships were especially important to both of us as students, and we are pleased to be able to 'pay it forward' for future college students who need assistance. We hope that these scholarships will be a positive force in helping other agricultural sciences students find a wonderful career path where they continue to support agriculture and the future of our world."

A native of Clymer, New York, Eugene Schurman received a bachelor's degree in animal science and agricultural education from Cornell University in 1972 before earning a master's degree in dairy science from Penn State in 1974.

From 1974 to 1977, he was a dairy educator for Penn State Extension in Franklin County. After five years as a vocational agriculture instructor in the Purchase Line School District, he rejoined Penn State Extension in Indiana County in 1982, retiring in 2011.

Carol Schurman, a native of Shippensburg, is a 1973 alumna of Penn State with a degree in animal industry. As an undergraduate, she was involved with several clubs and organizations and was named the College of Agricultural Sciences Outstanding Senior.

After working as an employment counselor for a personnel agency in Chambersburg, she joined Penn State Extension in Indiana County in 1977 as a 4-H youth development educator, a position she still holds.

The Schurmans both are members of various professional organizations and have received numerous extension and industry awards for their work. The couple previously endowed the Eugene and Carol Schurman 4-H Scholarship in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

The Trustee Matching Scholarship Program maximizes the impact of private giving while directing funds to students as quickly as possible, meeting the urgent need for scholarship support. For Trustee Scholarships created during the final phase of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, which concluded on June 30, Penn State will provide an annual 10 percent match of the total pledge or gift. With the conclusion of the campaign, Penn State is now providing an annual 5 percent match for new endowments of $100,000 or more. Both University match levels continue in perpetuity, multiplying the support available for students with financial need.

The Schurmans' gift helped the College of Agricultural Sciences to achieve the goals of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, which raised a total of $2.188 billion for Penn State students, faculty, staff and alumni. This University-wide effort was directed toward a shared vision of Penn State as the most comprehensive, student-centered research university in America. The campaign's top priority was keeping a Penn State degree affordable for students and families.

Last Updated August 25, 2014

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