CANYON, TEXAS – Pinedale High School alumna Aspyn Green, Class of 2021, was one of more than 300 agriculture students at West Texas A&M University to receive a record amount in academic scholarships during a celebratory weekend on Sept. 8-9.

Green is a sophomore at West Texas A&M and is majoring in animal science.

An awards reception kicked off activities at the university on Sept. 8, when 306 ag students received more than $500,000 in scholarships for the academic year. The reception was a prelude to Ag Day Festivities, which began on Sept. 9.

Western Texas A&M’s efforts to recruit, retain and reward exceptional students is a centerpiece of the university’s long-range plan. That plan is fueled by the historic $125-million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign.

“Our goal has been to award 30 percent of our student body with scholarships,” said Dr. Lance Kieth, associate dean of external relations and recruiting for the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. “Under the leadership of the Board of Ag Advisors, the Ag Development Association and the WTAMU Foundations, funds were raised and matched to double the amount of scholarships we have offered over the past five years.”