Cargill launches new Cargill Global Scholars program

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill, working with the Institute of International Education (IIE), has launched a new scholarship program to help build future potential leaders. The Cargill Global Scholars program will provide financial support, leadership development and enrichment opportunities to nearly 200 talented and high-performing undergraduate students in five countries. The selected individuals will be chosen based on their demonstrated high level of academic performance and leadership potential.

"Cargill has long been committed to improving the communities in which we operate, and supporting higher education is part of this commitment," said Pat Bowe, corporate vice president at Cargill. "The Cargill Global Scholars program will succeed when these students go on to become important leaders in their respective communities and industries and be part of a global network of program alumni."

"What makes this program exceptional is the keen involvement of Cargill employees as mentors for these scholars, which is a unique aspect of a program of this scope," said IIE President Allan E. Goodman. "In addition to financial support, students will gain valuable opportunities to observe and learn from business and community leaders in their own countries."

Students who are selected as Cargill Global Scholars will receive scholarship funds of up to US$2,500 per year for up to three years and will be invited to take part in a series of leadership and enrichment activities designed to enhance their critical thinking skills and equip them with the tools necessary for becoming leaders and decision makers in their chosen fields.

In the first year of the program, each Cargill Global Scholar will participate in leadership training modules. They will also be paired with a Cargill employee, including company executives, who will serve as a mentor over the next several years. These mentors will help students identify and realize short- and long-term academic and professional goals.

In addition, five top-performing students from each country who are in the second year of their program will be selected to attend an event at Cargill's global headquarters in Minnesota or a Cargill-related facility to take part in a week-long Global Leadership Program.  As part of their time in Cargill's Global Scholars program, the students will participate in individual and group leadership experiential learning opportunities led by NGOs that specialize in youth leadership development. The students will also have the opportunity to learn from and network with Cargill executives. Finally, as the Global Scholars complete their leadership and enrichment activities under this program and graduate from selected universities, they will join a global alumni network of Cargill Global Scholars, where enrichment and networking opportunities will continue.

Initially, students from five countries will be selected as Cargill Global Scholars. These countries include Brazil, China, Russia, India and the United States, where Cargill has significant operations or interest. IIE will work with specific universities in each of these countries to identify the Cargill Global Scholars. Targeted outreach will be conducted to reach under-represented groups in higher education in each country or region.

Approximately 50 to 70 Cargill Global Scholars from these five countries will be selected each year. The first group of nearly 60 students will be selected in May and June 2013 and will begin their three-year program of activities in June and July 2013. In total, nearly 200 Cargill Global Scholars will participate in this scholarship program over the next seven years. 

For more information on eligibility requirements and participating universities, please visit www.cargillglobalscholars.com.

About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 142,000 people in 65 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit Cargill.com and its news center.

About Cargill Community Giving and Education
Cargill gives back to communities by contributing 2 percent of its global consolidated pre-tax earnings (based on a three-year trailing average). Cargill donated $69.9 million in 57 countries during its 2012 fiscal year. We provide support to organizations, projects and programs that fall in three focus areas: nutrition and health; education; and environmental stewardship. In the education area, we support innovative programs that improve academic achievement and increase access to education for socio-economically disadvantaged children. Our commitment to education also includes grant making to selected higher education institutions, a higher education employee-matching-gifts program, and post-secondary educational scholarships. In fiscal 2012, Cargill donated more than $18 million to support education programs.

About IIE
The Cargill Global Scholars Program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) on behalf of Cargill. Founded in 1919, IIE is one of the most experienced not-for-profit organizations in the field of international education and scholarship management, and has worked extensively in areas of leadership development. IIE currently administers over 200 programs benefiting over 25,000 men and women from 175 nations.

SOURCE Cargill