'Texas Gentleman'; CASNR launches Red Steagall Endowed Scholarship
Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources announced today (Sept. 19 ) the establishment of the Red Steagall Endowed Scholarship within the Texas Tech Alumni Association. Created by friends of Steagall, funds generated from the endowment will provide scholarships to undergraduate students majoring in CASNR.
"My education and musical career both revolve around agriculture. I have a degree in animal science and spent the first five years after college in agricultural chemistry," said Red Steagall. "It is with great honor that I represent this scholarship fund to provide assistance to young people who desire to receive an education in agriculture."
The son of a school teacher, Steagall knows the importance of education. It was through the aid of scholarships he was able to gain a college education. "The future of our entire society depends on educated, dedicated, progressive thinking young folks who have the drive to take our way of life and our food supply production into the next generation," Steagall said.
He has friends all over the country, including a circle of friends who go on a history trip with him to visit sites that are significant to the American West and the American cowboy. One such friend is Bill Benton, a 1978 Tech graduate in physical education, who wanted to do something special for his friend. "As an expression of our appreciation to him," Benton said "We decided to endow a scholarship at Texas Tech to pay forward for future generations the opportunity to an education in honor of our friend.
The group of donors grew to his many fans and his huge circle of friends involved in western heritage and the recording industry. Matching funds were made available by the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Foundation, doubling the initial contribution to the scholarship. To apply for scholarships, entering freshman and currently enrolled students must submit an online scholarship application by Feb. 1. The transfer student application deadline is March 1. Scholarship eligibility is based on GPA and test scores. An endowment this size can generate more than $12 thousand a year to be awarded as scholarships.
"It is truly a great honor for Texas Tech to have been favored by Red and his friends with this scholarship," Benton said. "To have our university associated with a man of his stature is a gift by itself. He is one of the icons of our time. He is without a doubt a true Texas gentleman and loves our great state."
Best known for his Texas Swing dance music, Steagall has spent the last 30 years as a recording artist, songwriter, and television and motion picture personality. The native Texan's entertainment activities include a radio show, Cowboy Corner, and one television show, RedSteagall Is Somewhere West of Wall Street, which is carried on RFD-TV.
"I have a tremendous appreciation for the families that make up our agricultural community," Steagall said. "Today, I depend upon the people in agriculture for the heart of my public performances."
Written by Tracee Murph
CONTACT: Tracee Murph, Coordinator of Alumni Relations, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806)742-2802 or tracee.murph@ttu.edu
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Editor's note: For information on contributing to the scholarship, go to the Give2Tech website. Note that gifts have been given to this fund in Red Steagall's honor.
Davis College NewsCenter
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