Illinois State University has received $300,000 from the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) for the establishment of the ISA Endowed Soybean Support Fund. The working endowment will support soybean related research and education at the University.

A signing ceremony with Illinois State President Al Bowman, ISA Vice Chairman George Dixon (pictured on the right with President Al Bowman and Vice President of University Advancement Dianne Ashby) and ISA Secretary Pete Pistorius was held at Illinois State on Friday.

The ISA Endowed Soybean Support Fund will be used to enhance the educational mission of Illinois State’s Department of Agriculture and aid in the department’s faculty recruitment and retention efforts. Money from the endowment will fund research and education programs addressing the areas of agriculture and agribusiness related to soybeans and soy products, soy related food and nutrition issues and international trade related to soybeans and soy products.

The fund will be administered through the Illinois State Foundation. Professor Patrick D. O’Rourke, chair of Illinois State’s Department of Agriculture, will serve as the fiscal agent with input from an advisory committee of ISA and University representatives. The annual earnings of the $300,000 endowment will be matched 100 percent by Illinois State.

ISA works for the benefit of Illinois soybean farmers, providing research, promotion and education programs to increase demand for Illinois soybeans and improve soybean related profit potential. The ISA’s investments in higher education are targeted to benefit the farmers and people of Illinois, to attract more funding to higher education and to support improvements in international marketing.

“The research and education programs at Illinois State have contributed significantly to the improvement of soybean growers’ profitability over the years,” said ISA Vice Chairman George Dixon. “Throughout the years, the Illinois State research and education programs have grown steadily. This endowed fund strengthens the partnership between Illinois State and ISA.”

“This partnership between ISA and Illinois State University is a natural one in a state that is a leader in soybean production. The ISA Endowed Soybean Support Fund helps the University’s Department of Agriculture to further its research and education mission,” said Illinois State University President Al Bowman. “We are deeply grateful to the Illinois Soybean Association for their faith in Illinois State and for their generosity in establishing this fund.”

“The ISA Endowed Soybean Support Fund will help support research and education programs that contribute to the success of producers, marketers, and processors of soybeans and soybean products and support the continued development of nutritional foods from soybeans,” said Patrick D. O’Rourke, chair of Illinois State’s Department of Agriculture.