St. Edward's University selected to receive $25,000
Monsanto Fund Grant to support the College Assistance Migrant Program

Austin, TX – St. Edward's University has received a $25,000 grant from Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company. The grant will provide scholarships to outstanding students majoring in the natural sciences and other select majors that are enrolled in St. Edward’s through the College Assistance Migrant Program or CAMP. In 1972, St. Edward’s was one of the first four schools chosen to host the federally funded program, which was created to provide the children of migrant and seasonal farm workers with access to higher education.

Monsanto is an agricultural company that helps farmers learn sustainable practices so they can be successful, produce healthier foods, better animal feeds and more fiber, while also reducing agriculture's impact on the environment.
“"Monsanto’s support continues to make a difference in the lives of many of our students. Scholarships and internships have led to practical career decisions, said CAMP Director Esther Q. Yacono. After completing an internship in Arkansas with Monsanto, Monica Flores completed her degree at St. Edward's University.  She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin in Science Education.  She hopes to graduate in May 2010."
Established as a freshman level scholarship program, CAMP is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and St. Edward's University. CAMP has served to educate more than 2,500 students since 1972. Each year, 35 students are chosen to participate in the program. Now in its 37th year, CAMP holds the honor of being the longest continuously running program of its kind in the nation.
“Monsanto Fund believes strongly in encouraging interest in the sciences,” said Deborah Patterson, president of Monsanto Fund. “We are pleased to support St. Edward’s University in its efforts to provide farm workers and their families with the resources they need to improve their lives through the pursuit of higher education.”

The following students were selected as scholarship recipients: Nancy Balderas of Elgin,Texas, Ana Rodriguez of Edinburg, Texas, Alyssa Ruiz of Donna, Texas, Marisol Serrano of Weslaco, Texas, and Vanesssa Bocanegra of Weslaco,Texas.

About Monsanto Fund:

Monsanto Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company. Incorporated in 1964, the Fund’s primary objective is to improve the lives of people by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. Monsanto Fund is focused on grant-making in four main areas: nutritional well-being through agriculture; science education, primarily on professional development for teachers; the environment, which includes conservation, protection of biodiversity, clean water and restoration of wildlife habitat; and improving the quality of life in communities where Monsanto employees live and work. For more information about Monsanto Fund, visit http://www.monsantofund.org.

About St. Edward's University:
 Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, St. Edward's University is named among the top five "Up-and-Coming Universities" in the Western Region by its academic peers in a 2010 U.S. News & World Report  survey. For seven consecutive years St. Edward's has been recognized as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report and this year by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity.
St. Edward's is a private, Catholic, liberal arts university of more than 5,200 students located in Austin, Texas. For more information on St. Edward’s University, visit www.stedwards.edu.

###