Purdue University's College of Agriculture has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase the diversity among incoming students.

Five students admitted to Purdue for the fall semester in 2006 will have an opportunity to apply for the USDA Multicultural Scholars program.

"I think this creates an opportunity for us to attract a number of people to Purdue agriculture who might not have considered it before," said professor Ron Coolbaugh, program co-director.

The grant will be used to provide scholarships to the five selected students; each will have $5,000 a year applied to their tuition and other college expenses for up to four years.

Purdue competes with other universities for these grants in order to provide scholarships for incoming freshmen, Coolbaugh said. Currently there are five students who came into the program when the grant was last awarded to Purdue three years ago.

"Receiving the USDA Multicultural Scholarship was one of the major reasons that I chose to attend Purdue," said Christa Wessels, a junior majoring in animal sciences.

Wessels and Coolbaugh both said the program is more than just a financial benefit to students.

"This program offers extensive mentorship to students," Coolbaugh said. The program also involves faculty, staff and peers who all work with the students.

"It's created some great opportunities to network within the College of Agriculture and throughout the rest of campus," said Jamie Lanier, a junior majoring in wildlife science. The program also offers professional development opportunities including the Leadership Certificate Program, study abroad, internships and many other benefits.

Criteria for students selected to join the scholar program include academic ability, commitment to a career in the food and agricultural sciences, social and economic background, and chosen major. Applicants need to be admitted to an academic program in the College of Agriculture at Purdue. Along with an application, students must have three letters of recommendation.

Applications are due Feb. 15 and can be found at http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/oap/multiculturalprograms.asp.

More information is available at http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/diversity.multicultural_scholars_program.htm