Friday, April 29

SU Urban Forestry Student Joshua Simon wins first place in National MANRRS Contest

SU Urban Forestry major, Joshua Simon, holds his first place Undergraduate Written Essay Award during the 31st Annual Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Science (MANRRS) Career Fair and Training Conference.

Baton Rouge, LA – Southern University Urban Forestry major, Joshua Simon, won first place in the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Undergraduate Written Essay Contest. Simon, a junior from Morganza, La., attended the National MANRRS 31st Annual Career Fair and Training Conference in Jacksonville, Fla. from March 30 - April 2, 2016.

The MANRRS Conference provides a forum for student members to showcase their talents and abilities through their participation in contests. Students can compete against top-tier universities and colleges from across the U.S. in a total of 10 contests that range from Undergraduate and Graduate Oral and Poster Research, Research Discussion, and Written Essay to a Business Plan Pitch Competition.

Simon placed first out of 60 contestants, with his essay titled, “Growing the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders.”

“I was thrilled, almost in disbelief when I was named as the first place winner of the national written essay contest,” said Simon. “When competing against larger institutions, Southern University is often overlooked as a competitor, but they were shown different in this competition. I truly enjoyed winning first place and I am looking forward to next year to hopefully win first in another competition. I am proud to be an Urban Forestry student at Southern U,” he add.

MANRRS is a national student organization that “promotes academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.”

The organization has more than 50 chapters at universities throughout the country that include Louisiana State, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Clemson, Florida A&M, Auburn, Alcorn State, The Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue and Prairie View A&M University.

Southern University Ag Center faculty and staff members Zanetta Augustine, Dr. Renita Marshall, Dr. Janana Snowden and Dr. Christopher Chappell, along with USDA Liaison Alice Johnson, serve as MANRRS advisors for students on the Southern University campus.

For additional information about the Southern University Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences chapter, contact Zanetta Augustine at 225.771.2242. For information on the MANRRS organization, visit manrrs.org. 

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