Scholarship

JC Whitehurst, Jr. Agricultural Scholarship

 

Investing in the Future of Agriculture

Enabling the success of the agricultural sector was a vision of JC Whitehurst, Jr. and remains one of Coastal AgroBusiness’ primary goals today. An important step in achieving this vision is investing in individuals with the passion and potential to advance agriculture.

The JC Whitehurst, Jr. Agricultural Scholarship was established to recruit and reward outstanding students pursuing a degree in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. This scholarship honors the legacy of JC Whitehurst, Jr., a true pioneer in NC agribusiness whose contributions significantly impacted an industry that continues to bring prosperity to North Carolina and beyond.

About the Scholarship

Created in 2013, the JC Whitehurst, Jr. Agricultural Scholarship provides merit-based awards to undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at NC State University. Each year, two students are selected to receive an annual award of $5,000 each. The award is for one academic year. Recipients may reapply in subsequent years.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia.
  • Must be pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field within CALS.
  • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Preference is given to students seeking careers in agricultural or agribusiness professions impacting North Carolina, South Carolina, and/or Virginia.

Selection Process

The CALS Scholarship and Awards Committee reviews all applications and selects the recipients of this scholarship. Interested applicants can obtain more information on application procedures by visiting the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Financial Resources website.

 

JC Whitehurst, Jr. (center) 

Honoring a Legacy

Born in 1928, JC Whitehurst, Jr. grew up on a family farm near Ayden, NC, where he developed his passion for agriculture. After graduating from Ayden High School and Randolph Macon Academy, he earned a degree in agronomy from NC State University. His career in agribusiness began in 1951, and by 1953, he founded Coastal AgroBusiness, Inc., originally named Coastal Chemical Corporation. He led the company as president and CEO until 1997 and remained chairman until his passing in April 2013.

A proud NC State graduate, JC Whitehurst, Jr. was a devoted supporter of the Wolfpack and an enthusiastic fan of NC State football and basketball. Given his lifelong dedication to both NC State and the agriculture industry, it is only fitting to honor his legacy through this scholarship, which continues to support future leaders in agriculture.