PRAIRIE VIEW, TX – Three students from the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences have been awarded scholarships from the Greg Payne Agriculture and Natural Resources Scholarship Program.
This year the scholarship will provide financial assistance to three gentlemen in their studies pursuing their degrees and help ease the strain of paying for college.
Edward Crittendon II, senior, Mason Harold, freshman, and Nathaniel Prevost II, sophomore, received $1000 each from the Payne Foundation on behalf of honoring the memory of the late Greg Payne, a PVAMU alum who passed in 2013.
“I’m really excited to get this because I have been worrying about money and how I will pay my tuition while also focusing on schoolwork,” Harold said. “I have many things planned for my future like running my own business and working for the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). I’ve got big plans, and this blessing will only aid me.”
Greg Payne received his Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from PVAMU under the tutelage of Dr. Alfred L. Parks. He also was an ordained minister, a life member of the National Organization of Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Employees Organization in Minnesota, and a former USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service employee.
For the past 17 years, USDA/1890 Program Liaison, PVAMU, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, Horace D. Hodge, has worked with the Minnesota – Wisconsin Chapter of the National Organization of Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPBNRCSE) to manage this scholarship at PVAMU. The Payne Family, in partnership with the Minnesota – Wisconsin chapter of NOPBNRCSE, has contributed more than $86,000 to fund the Greg Payne Scholarship at PVAMU. Tom Jackson, the treasurer and Greg Payne scholarship coordinator, Minnesota – Wisconsin chapter of NOPBNRCSE, said, “It is truly an honor and so gratifying to work with Horace, College of Agriculture at PVAMU and represent the Payne family in this effort.”
“I am immensely appreciative of being chosen to accept this award,” Prevost said. “This will help me expand my studies and improve my learning capabilities. Your generous donation will also progress my educational environment by assisting in paying for books and other scholarly amenities.”
Crittendon said, “I am humbled to have been selected as the recipient of this year’s Greg Payne ANR scholarship. Since January 2020, I’ve been working under Mr. Dwight Rhodes on the campus ranch. I’ve gained a wealth of hands-on experience that I fully intend to use one day as an ag consultant and independent contractor. As I continue my education at Prairie View, your generous gift has re-invigorated my pursuit of quality education. I never thought about attending graduate school, but this award has given me the confidence to compete for more!”
CAHS Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs, Gerard D’Souza, Ph.D., said, “the Payne family’s contribution of $86,000 over the past 17 years to assist students with their higher education pursuit in attending Prairie View A&M University is impressive and speaks well to your understanding of the needs of our degree-seeking students.”
Pascale Mondesir
Communication Specialist II
pamondesir@pvamu.edu
(936) 261-5155