FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A scholarship endowment of $360,000 established by the Arkansas Farm Bureau through its foundation, the Romeo Ennis Short Foundation, will provide scholarships for as many as 10 students in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

The gift has been counted in the University of Arkansas' Campaign for the Twenty-First Century.

Dean Greg Weidemann of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences said, "The Romeo E. Short Memorial Foundation has provided scholarships for our students since 1955, including 10 this year, and we look forward to many more in the future."

"We recognize the endowment as a gift for future students as well as past and present students," Weidemann said. "It is just one example of the support Farm Bureau provides for Bumpers College students and for the teaching, research and extension programs of our faculty."

Ewell Welch, executive vice president of Arkansas Farm Bureau, said, "It is a privilege to recognize and reward talented students who will be Arkansas' next agricultural leaders. The Romeo E. Short scholarship typifies Farm Bureau's commitment to Arkansas agriculture, paying tribute to its past by nurturing its future."

The foundation was established in 1954 with contributions from county Farm Bureaus in memory of Romeo Ennis Short. It has increased with additional gifts and investment returns. The foundation is managed by the Farm Bureau, which helps select scholarship recipients. Preference is given to students in Bumpers College who are Farm Bureau members or have a parent who is a member.

Romeo Short of Brinkley was a founding member of the Arkansas Farm Bureau in 1935. He was an assistant secretary of agriculture in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a vice president of the American Farm Bureau.

Students who received scholarships of $1,400 for the current year are Amber Bennet of Carlisle, Hallie Dodson of Forrest City, Mark Morgan of Clarksville, Catherine Pendergrass of Charleston, Emily Rowland of El Dorado, Christy Skelton of Fayetteville, Ashley Swaffar of Farmington, Erin Turrentine of Bentonville, and Natalie West and Alicia Yancey of Prairie Grove.

This gift counts toward the campaign-within-a-campaign to raise $300 million for academic purposes to match the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation's $300 million gift. The $300 Million Challenge must raise funds between Jan. 1, 2002, and June 30, 2005, the end of the campaign. The challenge total stands at $204.9 million, and the overall campaign total stands at $839.5 million as of Sept. 30, 2004.