Agronomy students Mangel and Pallas awarded 2015 Western Seed Association scholarships

Cale Pallas (left) and Dylan Mangel

Cale Pallas (left) and Dylan Mangel

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dylan Mangel and Cale Pallas, University of Nebraska–Lincoln agronomy majors, were awarded 2015 Western Seed Association scholarships at the WSA Banquet in Kansas City on Nov. 9. The WSA scholarships are awarded based on scholarship and an interest in the seed industry.

Mangel grew up outside of Omaha. After high school, he served in the United States Air Force for four years and was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal for meritorious service. He also earned an associate’s degree in Munitions Systems Technologies. He enrolled at UNL following his service in the Air Force and is currently a senior agronomy student with a focus on research careers.

Mangel has been a teaching assistant in plant science as well as an intern in the university’s soybean breeding program. Last summer he interned for DuPont Pioneer and expanded his understanding of the roles that private industry and public institutions play in making agriculture successful. He plans to pursue graduate school in plant breeding.

Pallas was inspired to pursue a degree in agronomy while growing up in an agricultural family near Stromsburg, Neb. His parents are both graduates of UNL. His father has worked at DuPont Pioneer and sold seed since 1990. His mother works for University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension in Polk County where she has been involved with agriculture and teaching youth.

After graduation, Pallas plans to return to Stromsburg and sell Pioneer seed corn alongside his father. Attending the WSA conference and receiving the WSA scholarship have helped to expand his knowledge of the agricultural industry and the seed trade. Pallas said the respect and comradery he saw at the conference reassured him that the ag industry is the right career choice for him.

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