Langston University students looking to become farmers react to the suspension of a crucial USDA scholarship program.
Langston University students looking to become farmers react to the suspension of a crucial USDA scholarship program.
Langston University students looking to become farmers react to the suspension of a crucial USDA scholarship program.
Langston University students and staff are grappling with the suspension of a U.S. Department of Agriculture scholarship program that has supported many future farmers.
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Scholarships have made it possible for hundreds of future farmers to study at Langston University, especially one recently suspended scholarship from the USDA.
Though it might just be a matter of dollar signs for some, one professor said stellar students in his class are now at risk.
“They are very driven, professional,” said Malcolm McCallum, assistant professor at Langston University.
A full ride has been seemingly snatched from seven agriculture and science students at Langston University.
“It’s an opportunity that many of these students would not be at college without,” McCallum said.
The program was designed to help agriculture students in rural areas afford access to Black colleges and universities.
“I’m concerned about my student because she’s a senior. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” McCallum said.
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Due to the federal funding freeze, grants like the “1890 Scholars Program” have new guidelines under President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
The decision hits home for prospective scholars like Gabrielle Caldwell, a triple major who seemingly did everything right.
“You have a good GPA. You’re in good standing with the school,” Caldwell said. “Everything looked good, but then this happened.”
The university is working with legal counsel to decide the next steps for the fate of those seven scholars and all those to come.
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