"We have identified 1,000 high school students on our scouting
list," Whittaker says. "They are students who have indicated
an interest in our programs and sent ACT or SAT scores to our school.
This spring, our scouts will be looking at science fairs, church groups,
FFA and 4-H meetings, anywhere they can identify not only the top high
school students, but leaders, as well.
"Through the spring, we will continue to talk to those high-potential
students about the great career opportunities they have in this school
to make sure they know about us."
Whittaker says he hopes the scouts can generate an additional 200
applicants for the College of Agriculture for the fall of 2003. An
ambitious task, to be sure, but if successful, one that would yield
great rewards for Purdue and for the state of Indiana for years to
come.
"Technology is changing things so quickly," Whittaker says. "But
one thing hasn't changed. Our industries need the best minds and talents
we can find and develop."
Grimble agrees.
"In the last 10 to 20 years, agriculture has changed so much," she
says. "As scouts, we have to acquaint ourselves with those changes.
Things like genetics, that we really didn't know anything about 15
years ago, is now part of the agricultural curriculum."
Adds Whittaker: "Just look at what is developing in the field
of nanotechnology, almost on a daily basis. The issues facing us over
the next 20 years are very complex and challenging. We need to be able
to compete with science, technology and engineering for the best students
this state has to offer. We cannot afford to have those students go
somewhere else, or we aren't going to be able to satisfy
the needs of our society."
