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Published on 09/12/02

Coverdell scholarship closer to fruition

By April Reese
University of Georgia

A University of Georgia scholarship in memory of the late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell is much closer to reality thanks to donations from two Georgia-based international agribusinesses.

During the fourth National Symposium on the Future of American Agriculture in Athens, Ga., last month, AGCO Corporation and Merial Limited donated a sizeable contribution to the Coverdell scholarship fund.

Georgia agricultural leaders started the scholarship fund in 2000, shortly after Coverdell's unexpected death. The recent contribution brings the fund close to the endowment goal.

"Senator Coverdell was committed to agriculture and education and this scholarship is a great way to honor his memory," said Molly Dye, AGCO vice-president and former Coverdell chief of staff.

Dye, who has a background in agriculture, said she felt it only fitting to use the financial resources of AGCO to support agricultural education at UGA.

"Our company is committed to Georgia and to helping the local agricultural communities," said Kyle Lathrop, assistant counsel and senior director of Merial Limited. "By contributing to this scholarship, we can show our appreciation for Sen. Coverdell and what he did for the industry."

AGCO, headquartered in Duluth, Ga., is a world leader in the design, manufacture, development and distribution of agricultural equipment. The company's brands include Massey Ferguson, GLEANER, Challenger and AGCO. Its worldwide distribution network is the largest in the industry.

AGCO's 18 brand names appear on tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment and implements. The brands are marketed and sold through 7,350 independent dealers and distributed in 140 countries.

Merial Limited, also in Duluth, provides products that enhance animals' health, well-being and performance. From its global network of research and manufacturing facilities, including sites in Duluth, Athens and Gainesville, Ga., Merial has launched agricultural pharmaceutical products and vaccines such as IVOMEC, EPRINEX and EQVALAN.

Coverdell served on the Senate agricultural committee and was an advocate for agriculture research, extension and teaching programs. One of his initiatives was the National Symposium on the Future of Agriculture, which is now an annual event at the University of Georgia.

His contributions to Georgia agriculture include helping get research funding that led to a formula for containing tomato spotted wilt virus, a disease that costs Georgia peanut farmers more than $25 million annually.

Once fully funded, the Coverdell scholarship will provide financial backing for a student in the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences to participate in the Undergraduate Research Initiative program. The student's research must focus on emerging water issues related to agriculture, an area Coverdell strongly supported.

"Sen. Coverdell was probably one of the strongest supporters of trying to enhance and educate innovation between the rural and urban sectors," said Gale Buchanan, CAES dean and director. "He wanted to move the urban sector into an appreciation for agriculture, and if anything is a common tie between the two, water is."

To contribute to the Coverdell Scholarship, contact Louise Hill, CAES director of development and alumni relations, at (706) 542-3390.

Experts/Sources:
Gale A. Buchanan Dr.
Molly Dye
Kyle Lathrop
Nalini Saligram
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