The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Grassland Studies is proud to announce Cooper Phillipps of Burwell, Neb., as the inaugural recipient of the Trenkle/Sandoz Sandhills Environmental Scholarship. The award was presented during the Center’s Fall Seminar Series, The History and Future of Nebraska Ranching, held on East Campus. This annual scholarship honors the legacy of the Trenkle and Sandoz families while supporting students who are passionate about the stewardship and future of the Nebraska Sandhills.
Phillipps, a student whose deep connection to the Sandhills is matched by his dedication to academics and rodeo, expressed gratitude for the award.
“I love it here—those first three weeks have been awesome,” he said. “When you’re rodeoing and in school, that takes basically all my time, so if I don’t have to get another job to help pay for some of that, [this scholarship] makes me so much more effective in school and rodeo.”
The Center for Grassland Studies Fall Seminar Series brings together students, faculty, and community members to explore the science, stewardship, and cultural significance of ranching and the Sandhills.
