The W.F. Bennett Ambassadors for Agriculture Program Endowment was established by W.F. Bennett in 1997. These scholarships are available to students who qualify and are named Ambassadors. Selection of recipients to be determined by appropriate Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources scholarship committee.
Dr. William Frederick "Bill" Bennett, Sr. (January 23, 1927 - December 29, 2017) joined the Texas Tech University faculty in 1968. During his tenure, he taught in courses in Agronomy and Soil Science in the Department of Plant and Soil Science with a specialty in Soil Fertility. He taught eight separate undergraduate and graduate courses. In 1970, he became the Associate Dean for Resident Instruction for the college, with duties primarily for academic and student programs. Two of his proudest accomplishments were the initiation of two student groups - the Ambassadors for Agriculture and the Agri-Techsans – both are still active today.

In 1985, Dr. Bennett became the college's Associate Dean for Development, and then the Director of Development in 1993 and served until his retirement in 1997.
During his 28 years of service, he was a positive influence who provided motivation for the Student Agricultural Council, while also supporting numerous other opportunities for student-centered accomplishments. His students remember him best for his support of quality academic programs, insistence on high academic performance, encouragement of involvement in student activities, promotion of agricultural leadership involvement, and his general support and council. While helpful and fair to all students, Dr. Bennett was especially fond of helping students who might be struggling to 'walk that extra mile" needed for graduation.

One of Dr. Bennett's greatest impacts was in raising much-needed scholarship funds for students in the college. Through Dr. Bennett's leadership, and the active support of dedicated faculty, administrators, alumni, and friends, the college's endowment grew from less than $10,000 in 1976 to more than $10 million by his retirement in 1997.
Dr. Bennett received several significant awards and honors throughout his time at Tech, including the college's Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturalist Award for Public Service in 2007. In April 2011, the Dean's Office within the college dedicated the Dr. Bill Bennett Student Success Center in his honor. He held offices in national and local organizations and participated in local and international consulting activities. He conducted research in soil fertility and fertilizer use, authored numerous articles and publications, and authored or co-authored more than 11 books.

Dr. Bennett graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1950 and received both his master's and doctoral degrees from Iowa State University by 1958. His professional career began at Texas A&M University where he served as the Extension Soil Chemist. His next calling was with industry, working for a stent at Western Ammonia Corporation in Dimmitt, Texas. He considers it a hand of fate that he received the call from TTU in 1968 to consider joining the faculty.

According to Dr. Bennett, the most important accomplishment of the college during his tenure was the large number of high-quality students who became alumni.

To support this scholarship, please visit the W. F. Bennett Ambassadors for Agriculture Endowed Scholarship gift page.

Contact

Alex Yack
Alex.Yack@ttu.edu
Senior Director of Development
806.742.2802

Matt Williams
matt.williams@ttu.edu
Associate Director of Development
806.742.2802

Tanner Rex
tanner.rex@ttu.edu
Assistant Director of Development
806.742.2802