The CME Group, along with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF), have selected ten top-notch college students with interest in beef industry careers for the 2016 – 2017 $1,500 CME Beef Industry Scholarships.

The scholarship was first introduced in 1989, in partnership with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and has remained a strong tradition ever since, working to recognize and encourage talented college students that show promise as future leaders of the industry.

“We cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are for the continuous support from CME for Beef Industry Scholarships to provide financial assistance for future beef leaders,” said John Lacey, Chair NCF Board of Trustees. “Each year we are impressed with the caliber of students that apply for these scholarships.”

“NCF has been a critical partner in advancing education to future beef industry leaders through these scholarships,” said Tim Andriesen, CME Group Managing Director of Agricultural Products. “We’re pleased to partner with NCF once again this year to invest in students who represent the next generation of our nation’s food producers.”

The overall essay winner was Case Hendrix of Princeton, Texas, who will receive a $1500 scholarship, as well as a trip to San Diego, California for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show where he will be recognized at the Best of Beef Awards Breakfast. Hendrix has plans to attend Tarleton State University next fall, hoping to pursue a degree in Agriculture Education. He has aspirations to continue breeding and raising quality cattle, and hopes to eventually start a show cattle business.

Other $1,500 CME Scholarship winners are:
Denton Diggs, University of Missouri, Moundville, Mo.
Sierra Jepsen, Ohio State University, Amanda, Ohio
Kacey Koester, North Dakota State University, Steele, N.D.
Abby Marion, University of Florida, Deltona, Fla.
Garrett Nichols, Iowa State University, Marshalltown, Iowa
Michael Olson, Kansas State University, Olsburg, Kan.
Lena Sanchez, New Mexico State University, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, N.M.
Will Schaffer, Oklahoma State University, Carthage, Mo.
Alexis Strickland, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.