In June ceremonies at Patterson Hall, Embrex Inc. and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences established the Embrex Poultry Biotechnology Scholars Program in the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Inc.

This program will provide annual scholarships for the recruitment and continuing support of undergraduate students in the Department of Poultry Science’s science option and the College’s biotechnology minor. The program also will support on-campus and off-campus internships and mentoring by poultry science faculty and Embrex scientists.

Scholarships will be funded through an annual contribution of $2,500 from Embrex. The awards will be made each year to an incoming freshman in the Department of Poultry Science’s science option who intends to pursue the biotechnology minor. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years provided the student maintains a specified grade point average and continues to take courses in the biotechnology minor.

“The Poultry Science Department and this College have a long-standing relationship with Embrex,” said College Dean James L. Oblinger at the signing. “This Scholars Program is a well-thought-out, hands-on program involving class work, lab experience and internship experience. We’re pleased to have this opportunity.”

Dr. Gerald Havenstein, head of the Poultry Science Department, said, “A large number of Embrex employees have come out of N.C. State. This is a scholarship program we could advertise in high schools to recruit students to come into this curriculum.”

Added Dr. Ken Esbenshade, associate dean and director of Academic Programs in the College, “There’s been a tremendous infusion of science and technology into the poultry industry. We want to provide science and technology to our students so they’ll be invaluable to the industry.

“Programs like these encourage students to go into this field. It’s a signal to students that the industry is moving forward, that we expect them to understand the science behind poultry production.”

Founded in 1985, Embrex is an international agricultural biotechnology company focused on developing and providing in ovo solutions that meet the needs of the global poultry industry. The company’s unique integration of several scientific and engineering disciplines enables it to develop automated hatchery equipment and the biological products associated with operation of those products.

Embrex has 235 employees worldwide, and 145 are located in North Carolina. Currently, Embrex employs 30 N.C. State graduates, including nine with poultry science degrees. Of its eight part-time temporary employees, five are studying poultry science at N.C. State. And during the past 15 years Embrex and the Department of Poultry Science have worked collaboratively to develop innovative technologies for the poultry industry.

“Much of Embrex’s success can be attributed to the outstanding contribution that N.C. State University graduates have made to our company. Over many years, our relationship with N.C. State has gone beyond hiring N.C. State students and graduates. We have collaborated on research, provided course instruction and internships, as well as conducted market research and analysis,” said Randall L. Marcuson, president and chief executive officer of Embrex. “Today, we proudly go one step further in helping tomorrow’s poultry scientists achieve their educational goals.”

—Terri Leith