UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new fellowship program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will support undergraduate students seeking applied global learning experiences to deepen their understanding of food and agricultural systems worldwide, thanks to a $250,000 commitment from donor Pamela Arbuckle.
Arbuckle, a resident of Bellevue, Nebraska, and her late husband, James, both Penn State graduates, have long supported the University, creating endowments in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Education.
The new Arbuckle-Reese Fellows Program for the International Agriculture Minor will provide scholarships and program support for students participating in semester-long international experiences that align with the college’s international agriculture minor, known as INTAG. This 18-credit interdisciplinary program explores global food and fiber systems, agricultural science, business, and intercultural studies with hands-on international or study-abroad experience.
Selected students will be known as Arbuckle-Reese Fellows and will receive up to $9,000 to support tuition and expenses associated with their international experiences. Preference for the fellowship program will be given to third- and fourth-year undergraduate students with academic majors in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Eligible expenses may include travel, housing, passport fees and program costs, as well as additional educational opportunities following students’ return, such as mentoring, career development, research and presentations.
Through these experiences, students can gain firsthand perspectives on agricultural practices and challenges in different parts of the world, build cultural awareness and apply their academic knowledge to real-world issues, noted Deanna Behring, assistant dean and director of Ag Sciences Global.
“This reflects the importance of preparing future agricultural professionals to work across borders and understand the global forces shaping food production, agricultural sustainability and rural communities,” she said. “We are grateful to the Arbuckle family for recognizing the value of international experiences for our students and for providing support to empower them to expand their knowledge and understanding of global issues.”
The college will administer the fund; additional contributions from interested individuals or organizations may expand the program’s support.
The application deadline is Nov. 9 for travel during the spring and summer 2027 semesters. Interested students can apply online.
More information can be obtained by contacting Noel Habashy, associate teaching professor and coordinator of the international agriculture minor, at noel@psu.edu, or Ketja Lingenfelter, assistant director for global student engagement, at ketja@psu.edu.
Support for the Arbuckle-Reese Fellows Program advances the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.