More than 150 Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources students, faculty and guests took a moment to thank and express their appreciation to representatives from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at a special scholarship luncheon on Monday (Oct. 22) at the university's Red Raider Ballroom in the Student Union Building.

Each year, some 2,000 students attend Texas colleges and universities thanks to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the fall semester will see more new students as part of that group with some $8 million in scholarships. Included in that number are 144 Texas Tech students, with 84 scholars from CASNR.

Additionally, CASNR has 82 students on Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo endowed scholarships and six graduate assistantships. Since the scholarship program's inception in 1957, more than 700 rodeo scholars have attended Texas Tech with direct rodeo scholarships valued at more than $7 million.

This year show officials noted that the organization has surpassed the $330 million mark in educational commitment to Texas students since its beginning in 1932. Financial results driven by record attendance have allowed the show to give a record of $24.6 million in support for the upcoming show season.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials stressed that its educational program is a significant part of the show's mission "" benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Although the show promotes agriculture and Western heritage, show scholarships are for students from any background and with any choice of college major.

"College scholarships are a major part of the show's educational commitment, but we also have identified a number of local and statewide organizations which concentrate on the development of youth at a younger age," said Skip Wagner, president of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo "It's rewarding to see the results of these educational programs, which share in the same vision of molding the lives of our future generations."

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Becky Bram, Coordinator of College Development, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806)742-2802 or becky.bram@ttu.edu

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Editor's Note: For more information related to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo educational program, see "Scholarship Application" at http://www.rodeohouston.com/about/scholarship/apply.aspx