Alumni UConn Voices

December 9, 2022 | Jessica McBride, PhD - College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

CAHNR Recognizes Student Success and Dedicated Donors at Annual Celebration

The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources celebrated student scholars and the donors who supported their studies at an annual event

aerial photo of Horsebarn Hill

(Milton Levin/UConn Photo)

The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) recently held their annual Scholars Celebration honoring student scholars, their families, and the donors who supported their UConn education.

The event returned to an in-person format after three years of virtual celebrations due to the global pandemic.

“In this room today, we see not only the College’s present, but also its legacy and its future,” says Indrajeet Chaubey, CAHNR dean and director. “Many of CAHNR’s best and brightest students sit alongside the loved ones and donors who have helped them along their educational journeys. I want to thank you all – scholars, families, donors – for your role in supporting the academic excellence reflected in this room today.”

The financial support provided by donors allows students to enrich their educational and experiential opportunities while at UConn and reduces the potential burden for families. In 2022, CAHNR awarded over $800,000 in total scholarship funding. This included over 400 scholarships to 270 deserving students.

“This event is truly a joyous occasion for all involved,” says Kristen Govoni, associate dean for academic programs at CAHNR and director of the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture. “We have the opportunity to not only honor the scholarship recipients, but also recognize donors who are helping make a UConn education more accessible.”

One long-time donor and UConn alumna, Barbara Bishop, shared her experience with current scholarship recipients. The Bishop family has been active in agriculture in Connecticut for generations. Barbara explained that her experience in UConn 4-H summer programs helped expand her love for agriculture, and later led her to seek higher education at UConn.

UConn alumna and donor, Barbara Bishop (center) stands with student scholars, including CAHNR student speaker, Emily Syme ’23 (third from right). (Contributed)

She and her husband Al, who passed away in 2017, graduated from UConn in 1954. They remained a fixture in Connecticut’s agricultural scene through their family-owned farm, Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford.

The event also featured remarks from UConn Provost Anne D’Alleva, UConn Foundation Assistant Vice President Greg Knott, and CAHNR student speaker Emily Syme.

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