USSTC/MSU
Alton Adams Scholarship/Fellowship
   
      Murray State University School of Agriculture and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. have exhibited continual cooperation in various educational ventures, and both are vitally interested in the access to, and quality of, education offered to persons--specifically dark tobacco producers. Murray State University is located in the geographical center of the stakeholders and producers of dark tobacco and is the educational institution of choice of many tobacco producers.
      Danny Kingins, Plant Manager at U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Manufacturing Company, states that, "The funding of this scholarship/fellowship program will assist producers of dark tobacco in obtaining a quality education in agriculture at Murray State University. We are proud of the recipients of these awards, and appreciate this opportunity to promote them and the scholarship program.  U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. is excited about the prospect of providing scholarships to the sons and daughters of out most valuable stakeholders, the tobacco farmers. This money will provide the opportunity for men and women to develop their voice and skills as they prepare to meet the challenge of a career in agriculture in the 21st century."
      Murray State University offers a comprehensive educational program in agriculture which enables its graduates to become established in a career in production agriculture and/or agribusiness.
      U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. established the USSTC/Alton Adams Scholarship/ Fellowship at Murray State University to assist tobacco producers in pursuing both undergraduate and graduate degrees in agriculture.
 

Alton Adams Scholarship/Fellowship
      Mr. Alton W. Adams was born and raised in Fayetteville, Tenn. He received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee and a master of business administration degree from Vanderbilt University. Adams served in the United States Army and is a decorated Vietnam War veteran. During his tour of duty, Adams was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for Heroism, two Army Commendation Medals for Heroism, a Vietnamese Medal for Gallantry, an Air Medal, a Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
      Adams began working for U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. in May 1979 as a plant engineer and supervised the building of the Nashville, Tenn., manufacturing facility. He retired while holding the position of senior vice president of manufacturing administration for U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. During Adams' time with the company, he was a spectacular example of leadership. His talents and skills helped to manage quality, costs, and people. Adams was instrumental in various groundbreaking initiatives such as strategic planning, the Talent Assurance Process, and the USSTC/MSU Agriculture Leadership Development Program and Scholarship/Fellowship Program.
      Alton W. Adams retired on August 31, 2001, after 22 successful years with the company. He now resides in Hilton Head Island, S.C., with his wife, Jane. They have two grown children, Chris and Melanie.
 

Requirements
*Recipients of this scholarship and/or their immediate family (parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles) shall be currently and actively involved in dark tobacco production.

*There will be equal scholarship access to the producers of all three types of dark tobacco.
 
*The scholarship recipient shall be pursuing a degree in one of the areas of agriculture.

*The scholarship recipient may re-apply each year provided the recipient has maintained a 2.5 GPA and is still actively involved in dark tobacco production.

*The selection shall be made by the School of Agriculture personnel who shall verify the eligibility of all recipients.

*There shall be no discrimination based upon gender, ethnicity, etc.

*Each Applicant must complete both a university application and a secondary USSTC Scholarship form, which includes tobacco production status in the form of a settlement sheet. (A Production Agreement is not a proper form of verification.)

****Scholarship applications are due each year by December 15.
 

---Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to prohibit discrimination. Murray State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability in employment, admissions, or the provision of services and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal access to participate in all programs and activities.

 
 

Anyone interested in the USSTC/MSU Alton Adams Scholarship/Fellowship Program may obtain information from USSTC buyers or by writing or calling:



Murray State University
School of Agriculture
103 S. Oakley Applied Science Bldg.
Murray, KY 40271-3345
(270) 809-3328
ag@murraystate.edu
 

Click below to view:

2009-2010 USSTC/MSU Alton Adams Scholarship/Fellowship Recipients
 
 

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