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The M.O. Pence Memorial Scholarship

In the fall of 1911 a young agronomist graduated from Purdue University and became the first extension agronomist at the University of Delaware. After many years of service and earning his master’s degree at Cornell University, M.O. Pence accepted the position of extension agronomist at Purdue University in January of 1925. He stayed in this position until his retirement in 1957.

During Pence’s professorship at Purdue he was in charge of the Five Acre Corn Club, raising it’s enrollment from 500 to 4000 members. Instrumental in introducing Korean Lespedeza and Ladino clover to Indiana, Pence pioneered pasture improvements. He also was the first to demonstrate Purdue’s soil testing kit.

An endowment was established in April of 1987 by the Pence family in honor of the late Professor Pence. This endowment is used to support scholarships for juniors, seniors, or graduate students in the School of Agriculture majoring in agronomy. The continued generosity and support of the M.O. Pence Memorial Scholarship by the Pence family benefits deserving students and retains the memory and talents of Professor Pence within the hearts of each recipient.

This scholarship was established and tailored to reward hard working students that have a passion for agronomy and extension. The Pence family understood that some students could produce straight A’s with very little effort, while other students struggled to make a C average. One undergraduate student and one graduate student are selected to receive this award.

Scholarships are an effective way of helping students with tuition increases, book expenses and general campus living. Also, it is one of the best ways to honor a family member, friend, colleague or important cause. If you would like to learn more about establishing your own endowed scholarship in the Department of Agronomy I would be delighted to visit with you. Your contributions today can make a positive impact on our future.

-- Bret Rush, Assistant Director of Development

• Fall 2003
• Spring 2003 (pdf)
• Spring 2002 (pdf)