Eight students win Engler Scholarships

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Eight College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources students were awarded scholarships from the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Scholarship Program at UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Earlier this year, the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation provided a gift of $20 million over 10 years to fund the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. Paul Engler, a NU alumnus and Texas cattleman, said he hoped his gift would help identify students with the entrepreneurial drive and then teach them the skills necessary to succeed.

Five of the applicants were designated Engler Scholars and received scholarships of up to $10,000 based on their need and existing scholarships and grants. These scholarships are renewable for up to three years based on student performance.

Three students were awarded one-year Engler Scholarships of up to $10,000. The scholarship amount actually received is based on student need and their existing scholarships and grants.

Students designated as four-year Engler Scholars are:

- Chase Holoubek, a junior majoring in agricultural economics and minoring in international agriculture business, is from David City and attended Aquinas Catholic High School. He is the son of Mark and Willow Holoubek. He has worked as a merchandising intern for AGP in Eagle Grove, Iowa, and is currently working for ADM as a merchandising intern in Lincoln. He has studied abroad in the Czech Republic as well as traveled around Europe. At the university, he is the vice president of the Agricultural Economics Agribusiness Club. Holoubek has been recognized on the Dean's List each semester while at UNL.

- Emily Ibach, a freshman majoring in biochemistry, is originally from Sumner, and attended Sumner-Eddyville-Miller High School. Ibach was the 2010 class valedictorian and a Nebraska Girls State Representative. She served as an officer of her class, FFA chapter and 4-H Club. Ibach's FFA Supervised Ag Experience was a national runner-up in 2009. Ibach's parents are Greg and Teresa Ibach.

- Evan Ibach is a freshman majoring in animal science. He is originally from Sumner where he attended Sumner-Eddyville-Miller High School. In addition to serving as a class officer, FFA and 4-H officer, Evan was a state champion in several 4-H and FFA activities including livestock judging, ag demonstration and broadcasting. Evan's parents are Greg and Teresa Ibach of Sumner.

- Jordyn Lechtenberg is a freshman majoring in agricultural banking and finance. She is from Ainsworth, and attended Ainsworth High School. Lechtenberg was the 2010 class valedictorian, third place state speech winner in persuasive speaking and State FFA Proficiency Award winner in Home/Community Development. She received the Norfolk Daily News "Leading the Way" Award and the Nebraska Community Improvement Program's Outstanding Youth for Community Service Award. Lechtenberg currently is the Nebraska FFA State President. Her parents are Roger and Rhonda Lechtenberg.

- Ashley Nunnenkamp is a junior majoring in agricultural business. She is from Sutton, where she attended Sutton Public Schools. At UNL, Nunnenkamp is a member of the Agricultural Economics Agribusiness Club, Horticulture Club and is a Pepsi Service Scholar and Deans Scholar in experimental leadership. She has been recognized as a National McKelvey Entrepreneurship Scholar, Allen Dayton Young Entrepreneur, National FFA Agri-Entrepreneur and National FFA Floriculture Proficiency Finalist. Nunnenkamp's parents are Lyle and Deb Nunnenkamp.

Students receiving one-year Engler Scholarships are:

- Katie Holoubek is a freshman majoring in agricultural economics. She is from David City, and attended Aquinas Catholic High School. She was active in both high school and club sports and was a first-team All-State athlete in volleyball and basketball in her junior and senior years. Holoubek was a member of National Honor Society, chorus and 4-H and a two year delegate to the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute. Holoubek's parents are Mark and Willow Holoubek.

- Haylie Lechtenberg is a freshman majoring in agricultural business with a banking and finance option. She attended West Boyd High School in Spencer where her activities included National Honor Society, FFA, speech and drama, sports, music and 4-H. She was an officer of her class, FFA and 4-H. In FFA, Lechtenberg was a state proficiency winner and National FFA Fruit Production Finalist. Her parents are Russell and Susan Lechtenberg.

- Alex Wach is a freshman majoring in agricultural journalism. He is from Wauneta, and attended Hayes Center High School. At Hayes Center, he was a member of FFA, National Honor Society, H Club (letter club), the state champion Class D Journalism Team and was a delegate to the Nebraska Ag Youth Institute. Wach served as his senior class treasurer and president of his 4-H club. His parents are Loren and Nancy Wach.

Sandy Alswager Karstens, IANR News Service