Fellow Classmates Benefit from Student’s Scholarship

A quick glance at Carol Cook’s resume and you may not realize she’s still a college student.  Considering the junior agricultural business major has already owned her own business, raises money for scholarships and works as a career liaison in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, it’s hard to believe she has yet to graduate.

The small town girl from Bennington, Okla., is passionate about agriculture and helping people, which is why her future career plans involve working as a rural loan officer or counseling students in agriculture-related careers.

“I have a passion for American agriculture,” Cook says.  “I planned on using my degree to become a rural loan officer with the USDA, but since serving as a career liaison for the college I’ve been considering a career in career counseling or agricultural education.”

Judging from Cook’s previous business success as an entrepreneur, which earned her the title of Future Farmer’s of America (FFA) State Star in Agribusiness for her Pembroke Welsh corgis kennel, Cook will find success no matter which career path she chooses. 

And Cook is quick to credit the Rapp Foundation for their financial assistance that translated into a President’s Distinguished Scholarship covering four years of college tuition and fee expenses.

“Receiving this scholarship was of the utmost importance in making my college dreams a reality,” she said.  “Both of my parents are Oklahoma high school teachers and their combined income left me just above the qualifying line for grants and financial aid.  My scholarship donor is the only reason I’m here.”

Robert Glenn Rapp established the foundation bearing his name in 1951. Throughout its history Rapp Foundation trustees have placed a major philanthropic focus on education. The Trustees of the Rapp Foundation have approved support totaling more than $850,000 for OSU.

Cook is already taking the initiative to pay forward the foundation’s support by taking part in fundraisers through the student section of the American Agricultural Economics Association to raise money for scholarships benefiting future agriculture students.  She also helps her fellow classmates navigate the job application process from the initial job search to preparing for the actual interview.

“I’m reaping so many benefits by acting as a career liaison,” she said.  “I visit employers one-on-one at headquarters ranging from Dallas to St. Louis to Illinois.  It’s mutually beneficial in that employers get to see the types of students we have at OSU and we get to visit their facilities.”

The career liaison experience has also opened Cook’s eyes to increased career opportunities and possibly a double major in agricultural education.  And thanks to her scholarship, Cook is also entertaining the idea of pursuing a master’s degree after she gains a few years of work experience.

“Getting my master’s is now a real possibility since my undergraduate degree has been fully funded by the Rapp Foundation,” Cook said.  “That’s a really awesome feeling.”

Top of page ^