Student from Lenexa is university's latest Cargill Global Scholar
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
MANHATTAN — A Kansas State University student is being recognized for exemplary academic achievement and leadership potential.
Kayley Brethour, sophomore in entrepreneurship, Lenexa, has been selected as one of 10 U.S. 2019 Cargill Global Scholars. The U.S. scholars will join scholars from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Russia for a total of 66 worldwide scholars.
As high-performing first- or second-year university students, Cargill Global Scholars study in fields that relate to Cargill Inc.'s business goal of providing innovative solutions to meet today's economic, environmental and social challenges. The scholar program, administered by the Institute of International Education, provides students with tools to become global leaders and decision-makers.
Brethour will receive annual scholarships for up to two years, attend a three-day leadership seminar with other U.S. scholars in Minneapolis in June, and attend Cargill's global leadership seminar with Cargill executives and scholars from around the world. In addition, a Cargill mentor will help her with academic and professional goals.
"I look forward to learning about the process of food systems at a global level and connecting with like-minded students around the world to discuss the future of these processes," Brethour said. "I am so grateful for the opportunity Cargill has given me and hope to be able to take what I will learn in this program and apply it to help solve the agricultural sustainability issues our state and country currently faces."
A beekeeper since her freshman year in high school, Brethour has researched declining bee populations and sustainable agriculture. She advocates for sustainable agriculture practices that can help bees and improve environmental issues affecting Midwest farmers.
At Kansas State University, she serves on the executive council of the university's Entrepreneurship Club, is treasurer of Chimes Junior Honorary and is a member of the Entrepreneurship Ambassadors.
In addition to the Cargill Global Scholarship, Brethour has received a Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Scholarship and Wabash Cannonball Scholarship. She has been named a finalist for the Koch Discovery Scholarship and was nominated for a Udall Scholarship. She is the daughter of Clay and Kristin Brethour, Lenexa.
