NEW BERLIN, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Chobani
announced an expansion of its Scholars
Program, adding a pledge of $1
million dollars and a focus on
supporting historically underserved students who wish
to pursue a broad set of agricultural
interests. The program has helped dozens of university
students pursue their ambitions in the dairy
industry. That mission now
includes creating a more equitable future in
agriculture.
Through its partnerships with Cornell
University and the University of
Idaho, the Chobani Scholars Program will offer eight
$20,000 scholarships ($5,000 each year) over five
years to historically underserved students
interested in studying agriculture, dairy, food science, and/or
food entrepreneurship. Chobani will also
provide $20,000 of annual funding to each of
the universities during the same time period to
support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and
education. Chobani Scholars will have an opportunity to intern
with Chobani during their college careers. In prior years the
program was limited to students from a dairy background who were
pursuing a career in dairy.
"Today's announcement builds on our mission
to help ensure opportunities for students from
underserved communities with an interest in working on a
farm or in agribusiness, in food science, and those
who want to start a food business," said Peter McGuinness, Chobani President and Chief
Operating Officer. "We're proud to be supporting dozens of current
students in our home states of Idaho and New
York, and we're thrilled to be expanding the Chobani
Scholars program."
The Chobani Scholars program was established at Cornell University and University of Idaho in 2018. The grants have helped
more than two dozen students attending Cornell University's College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences (CALS) and the University of
Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
(CALS). With today's announcement, Chobani's scholarship
funding pledge will total more than $1.4
million by 2027.
"Since its inception, the Chobani Scholars program has provided
substantial support to students from New
York farm families, helping them to access world-class
education and real-world experiences in dairy science and
management," said Benjamin Houlton,
the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Cornell
University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "With
this latest investment, Cornell CALS is excited to further enhance
our efforts to attract students from underrepresented backgrounds
to careers in food and agriculture, which is a critical need for
our state. We are grateful to Chobani for their ongoing generosity
and for bolstering our programs to train the next generation of
leaders in agriculture, dairy, food science and food
entrepreneurship."
"The Chobani Scholars program provides an incredible opportunity
to Idaho students who otherwise
may not be able to attend college," said Michael Parrella, Dean of the College of
Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho. "We are grateful for our
strong partnership with Chobani and their passion for creating a
pathway for Idahoans from underrepresented communities who wish to
pursue a career in agriculture."
ABOUT CHOBANI
Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality
and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our
communities and making the world a healthier place. In short:
making good food for all. In support of this mission, we are
a values-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company,
and have been since Hamdi Ulukaya,
an immigrant to the U.S., founded the company in 2005. We
produce yogurt, oatmilk, dairy- and plant-based
creamers, ready-to-drink coffee and plant-based
probiotic drinks. Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt
brand, and it's made with only natural ingredients without
artificial preservatives.
Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world – putting
humanity first in everything we do. Our philanthropic efforts
prioritize giving back to our communities and beyond: working to
eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and
underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the
planet. We manufacture our products in New York, Idaho, and Australia. Chobani products are available
throughout North America and
distributed in Australia and other
select markets. For more information, please
visit www.chobani.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, and LinkedIn.
ABOUT CORNELL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE
SCIENCES (CORNELL
CALS)
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of
purpose-driven science and home to Cornell
University's second largest population of students, faculty
and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of
our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach.
The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three
overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and
environmental resources; and social, physical and economic
well-being. Learn more at cals.cornell.edu.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF
IDAHO
The University of
Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho's land-grant, national research
university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of
Idaho through educational centers
in Boise, Coeur d'Alene and
Idaho Falls, nine research and
Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties.
Home to nearly 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a
leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary
research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing
diversity, citizenship, and global outreach. U of
I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic
conferences. Learn more at www.uidaho.edu.
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