Eleven Oklahoma students awarded Sam Noble scholarships

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - May 27, 2009

ARDMORE, Okla. — The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation announced the 2009 - 2010 recipients of the Sam Noble Scholarships this week, awarding more than $173,750 in scholarships to 11 southern Oklahoma students.

Sam Noble Scholarships assist both undergraduate and graduate students studying in the fields of agriculture and technology.

The 2009 Sam Noble Scholarship recipients include (name, classification, major and high school):: Barrett Butler, freshman, animal science, Ringling;
Charles Craige, freshman, agricultural business, Durant;
Clairissa Craige, freshman, animal science, Durant;
Madison Donica, freshman, biochemistry & molecular biology, Dickson;
Cole Lockwood, freshman, agricultural business, Ringling;
Jeri Lollis, freshman, agricultural business, Madill;
Jinna Lowe, freshman, agronomy, Lawton Christian;
Dakota Zachary, freshman, agricultural business, Ringling;
Brent Smith, senior, agricultural education, Haworth;
Brody Wallis, senior, animal science, Atoka; and
Richard McLemore, second year technology, auto collision repair, Hugo;

"This scholarship is highly competitive," said Donna Windel, Director of Granting for the Noble Foundation. "We look forward to watching the students excel in their future endeavors and create a positive impact in the fields of agriculture and technology."

Agricultural undergraduate scholarships are $2,500 per semester for as many as nine semesters and graduate awards are for $3,125 per semester for up to five semesters. Technology students receive scholarships of up to $3,750 per year for two years or less.

The scholarships' namesake, Sam Noble, established the program when he died in 1992. The first scholarships were awarded in 1999. To date, the Noble Foundation has awarded more than $1,723,250 in funding for 129 students.

"Mr. Noble's thoughtfulness has helped each of these students receive one of the most important tools for life - an education," Windel said. "It is remarkable how one man's generosity has forever changed so many lives."

Scholarship applications are available annually beginning in November. Agricultural scholarships are limited to students pursuing an agriculture-related degree at universities with a separate College or Division of Agriculture. Technology scholarship applicants must be attending or planning to attend Oklahoma State University in Okmulgee or Oklahoma City. Applicants for the Sam Noble Scholarship must reside in one of the following southern Oklahoma counties: Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Choctaw, Coal, Garvin, Jefferson, Johnston, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, Murray, Pontotoc, Pushmataha or Stephens. An external committee selects the recipients.

Additional information about the Sam Noble Scholarship program is available on the Noble Foundation Web site or by contacting Mary Kate Wilson at 580.224.6246 or by e-mail at mkwilson@noble.org.

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For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.