Alumni create scholarships through Wonderful Giving program

(November 2, 2015) – The Ag One Foundation announced the creation of several Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology scholarships by recent Fresno State alumni Kevin Flynn, Amanda (Schott) Loehrer and Matt Trexler through the Wonderful Giving program.

The scholarships came from a sponsored philanthropic giving program by The Wonderful Company that allows its employees to donate corporate dollars to non-profit organizations.

Flynn’s two $500 scholarships will benefit plant science students; Loehrer’ $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a food science or culinology student; and Trexler’s $500 scholarship will assist a Jordan College student.

Flynn, a fall 2012 plant science and crop production management graduate, began his association with the Wonderful Company as a senior as part of the college’s Paramount Undergraduate Student Fellow program.

“This is a way of showing appreciation to a college that made me feel at home immediately,” Flynn said. “I took advantage of several scholarships that the plant science staff encouraged me to apply for, so now it’s my turn to add a new one. “

The Bakersfield resident and ranch supervisor oversees daily operations for 2,000 acres of citrus orchards after being hired full-time by The Wonderful Company in January 2013.

As a Fresno State student, Flynn was a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation scholar. He was also one of only two undergraduates that attended the 2011 International Society for Horticultural Science International Symposium on Acclimatization and Establishment of Micropropagated Plants and presented on tissue culture topics with Plant Science Department Chairperson Dr. John Bushoven.

“Being able to work on the campus farm taught me a lot,” Flynn said. “It was my first professional experience in an orchard, and it allowed me to get hands-on knowledge and a chance to manage others. The program led me to apply for my current job so I owe a lot to the department and staff.”

A 2010 food and nutrition sciences graduate, Loehrer currently works as a POM Wonderful technical services and NPD supervisor. Her unit conducts post-harvest research that tries to extend fresh fruit and aril shelf life.

She also leads industrial sales support in Del Rey where her team conducts finished product analysis to ensure quality and coordinates shipment of samples and orders for concentrate and industrial ingredients around the world.

In her prior position, she worked full-time with Wawona Frozen Foods as a food technologist in product development for two years after graduation after an internship with the company.

As a Fresno State student, she served as president of the Culinology Club as a senior and was a member of the Food Science Club and an Ag One scholarship recipient. She also worked on campus as a student administrative assistant for the California Agricultural Technology Institute for five years.

“Working and studying at Fresno State helped me connect my love of food with a much larger industry,” Loehrer said. “The agriculture industry is constantly growing and innovating in new and exciting ways. I am so grateful to work for a company that gives me the opportunity to give back in the form of a scholarship to new students obtaining an education in food and nutritional sciences, and will one day contribute to this important industry.”

Trexler currently works in managing sales of citrus to accounts across the country, as well as fruit that is sold to juice processors in California. While a Fresno State Agricultural Business student, he worked as an intern for the company and accepted a full-time position upon graduation in 2008.

“I’m grateful for the education that I received at Fresno State and the scholarships that helped defray some of the expenses along the way,” Trexler said. “Given the opportunity with the Wonderful Giving program, I wanted to give back and contribute in scholarships for current and future students of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.”

The Wonderful Company is a privately held $4 billion global company dedicated to harvesting health and happiness around the world. Its iconic brands include FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Pistachios & Wonderful Almonds, Wonderful Halos and Teleflora. The Wonderful Company’s connection to consumers has health at its heart and giving back in its DNA. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products and core values, visit www.wonderful.com .

Established in 1979, Ag One has raised more than $17 million to benefit, promote and support the college and its programs. In that span, more than 3,350 students have received more than $2.4 million in scholarships and grants. In the 2015-2016 academic year, Ag One will provide nearly $500,000 to deserving students and programs.