The CHS Foundation, the major giving entity of CHS Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSCP), the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, announced today it has awarded a $2.5 million grant to North Dakota State University (NDSU) to create the CHS Chair in Risk Management and Trading.
The endowment, and related programs funded by it, will better prepare more students entering the regional and national commodity marketing business, create a state-of-the-art teaching and training platform for students pursuing careers in risk and trading, and expand and upgrade the university's producer outreach and extension programs.
The CHS Chair in Risk Management and Trading will be part of the Agribusiness and Applied Economics Department of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources. The first director of the endowed chair will be William Wilson, Ph.D. and distinguished professor in the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at NDSU.
“CHS has a long and very strong commitment to North Dakota, and the CHS Foundation has an equally solid tradition of partnership and shared success with North Dakota State University,” said Linda Tank, CHS senior vice president, Communications and Public Affairs. “This new commitment deepens our relationship to the state and NDSU and will provide significant, long-term benefit to the agriculture industry.”
NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani said he appreciates the vision of CHS. “As the leading researcher and educator in agriculture for North Dakota, NDSU greatly values its partnership with CHS and the CHS Foundation. The vision and commitment of the private sector is a powerful testament to the importance of educating future leaders for the industry. On behalf of NDSU, I want to extend a warm thank you to the CHS Foundation and to CHS cooperative- and farmer-owners.”
CHS Foundation investments support university curriculum and programs to expand student skills, opportunities and career prospects. Other CHS Foundation funding includes: $100,000 in North Dakota scholarships awarded over the past five years, a $250,000 grant to the NDSU Commodity Trading Lab, $250,000 in support of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives and ongoing support for the NDSU Harvest Bowl.
“Students pursuing careers as global commodities traders, or in risk management, will clearly benefit by having curriculum specifically tailored to their education and focus,” said Tank. “In turn, regional agribusinesses benefit by having a solid pipeline of highly qualified, future employees.”
The CHS Foundation is the major giving entity of CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company. As a part of the CHS stewardship focus, the CHS Foundation supports education and leadership programs that invest in the future of agriculture, cooperative business and rural America.
Source: CHS Foundation news release
image from NDSU
