CESTA Student Awarded Scholarship from The Organization

Shaughnessay Shannon, a senior at Florida A&M University (FAMU), has been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the National Organization for Professional Black NRCS Employees (NOPBNRCSE) also known as “The Organization.”

Shannon is an animal science major (pre-veterinary option) in the FAMU College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture (CESTA). She was presented the scholarship award on behalf of "The Organization" by Makola M. Abdullah, dean and director, Land-Grant Programs, FAMU College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture, and Cynthia M. Portalatín, USDA/1890 Agricultural Liaison.

A first-generation college student, Shannon is an outstanding scholar with a 4.0 grade point average. After graduation, she plans to enroll in veterinary school and pursue a career as a veterinarian, serving both small and large animals near her family in Jefferson County, Florida.

“I grew up on a small, beef-cattle farm; and I’ve always loved animals,” said Shannon. “As a little kid, I always wanted to be a vet, and I never grew out of that stage.”

This scholarship program is designed to strengthen the long-term partnership between "The Organization," the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and 1890 land-grant institutions for the purpose of increasing the number of students studying agriculture, natural resource sciences and related disciplines. Ten (10) $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students pursuing a B.S. degree in the aforementioned fields at one of the 1890 land-grant universities.

For more information about the agricultural sciences or related programs at FAMU, contact Verian Thomas, director, Division of Agricultural Sciences, FAMU-CESTA, at (850) 599-3383 or by email at verian.thomas@famu.edu or visit www.famu.edu/cesta. More information about The Organization Scholarship program is available online at http://www.nopbnrcse.org/.

PHOTO CAPTION: Makola M. Abdullah, dean and director, Land-Grant Programs, College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture and Shaughnessay Shannon