Supporting Student Researchers Working to Improve Field Crops
Chris and Betsy van Kessel Plant Sciences Graduate Student Research Endowment
A generous gift from Chris and Betsy van Kessel will help graduate students in the Department of Plant Sciences pursue field-based research in areas such as crop breeding and genetics, ecological management, post-harvest quality and orchard management. The $500,000 endowment will provide support to students working on real-world challenges in crop production, sustainability and innovation.
Chris van Kessel, who retired in 2016 after serving as department chair for 10 years, hopes the endowment will give students the same opportunities he once had.
“I want that our gift be for graduate student fellowships, like I received 45 years ago. I want the funding to go to grad students, because that’s the future,” van Kessel said.
The gift will fund graduate student researcher positions, giving these aspiring scientists more time in the field to focus on their work and develop new ideas with lasting impact. This investment helps advance work that matters by benefiting agriculture, protecting our environment and supporting communities worldwide.
“In a time where budgets are tight and funding is limited, having this kind of philanthropic support is more important than ever,” said Daniel Potter, chair of the Department of Plant Sciences. “Graduate students are such a crucial part of what we do. They are helping us in our research programs and doing meaningful work that keeps the university and department thriving as a leader in research.”
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Daniel Potter
Chair of the Department of Plant Sciences