As another Thursday rolls around, we bring to you another GRAS Scholar Throwback. Courtney Rogerson was a scholarship recipient from 2011 to 2015. GRAS always encourages students to send in their yearly applications for the duration of their program.

Here is a look at what Courtney has been up to since graduating.

What has your professional journey looked like since winning your GRAS scholarship?
“Since winning the GRAS Scholarship I received my BSc. Agr. Degree in Animal Science and went on to obtaining my MSc. in Epidemiology at the University of Guelph. Following my studies, I worked for a Livestock Genetics company, Semex, that provides dairy and beef genetics globally for two years and now currently work for AgSights (a member-owned cooperative providing software and genetic solutions to livestock and agri-food businesses) as a business development associate – in my role I wear a few hats including managing yearly bull & heifer tests, I am a certified carcass ultrasound technician, salesperson & head the company’s marketing and social pages.“

Do you have any personal highlights you would like to share?
“Apart from my professional career my husband and I run a mixed farm where we contract feed 450 specialty beef calves a year, run a custom bale-wrapping business, a registered black Angus cow/calf herd, and recently grew our business by adding 45 commercial ewes to the mix!”

What did receiving a scholarship mean to you? 
“I feel very fortunate to have been a recipient of this scholarship, and encourage other students to apply! It is tough to float the many costs incurred as a student and winning this scholarship certainly helped to elevate some of the financial pressures and allowed me to focus on my studies.”

We thank Courtney for letting us know where life has taken her over the past 5 years and wish her many more years of success and happiness. Since its inception in 2006, the Scholarship and Bursary Program has awarded $216,500 to 118 students. For updates on more of our past scholars follow us on Facebook @GrandRiverAg.

If you know a student with a permanent residence in Wellington County, Perth County or the Region of Waterloo who is currently enrolled in a college or university with an agricultural or environmentally focused program they can apply for a scholarship of up to $2,500.