Paul E. R. Abrahamson Scholarship
Scholarship Description

Paul Abrahamson was a champion for the agricultural community of North Dakota. Paul devoted his life's work to promoting North Dakota's agricultural products, in particular wheat and durum. Paul served as the first administrator of the North Dakota Wheat Commission beginning in 1959 until his passing on July 21, 1972.

Paul was born October 21, 1906 in Leal, North Dakota. After high school, he attended North Dakota State University and received a degree in agriculture in 1929. Paul started his career as an educator in Rolla, North Dakota, and eventually served as an extension agent in Rolette and Cavalier counties. During this time Paul organized the annual North Dakota Durum Show in Langdon and was very active in the development of homemaker and 4-H groups.

In 1959, he began his work with the North Dakota Wheat Commission as its first administrator. During his career Paul was always known as a champion for the farmers of North Dakota. He was concerned with market development, promotion, and lower freight rates for farmers. Transportation was important to Paul. In fact it is well known that Paul would discuss transportation weekly, and even daily with his good friend John Agrey of the PSC. In 1968 he was honored for his achievements by the NDSU Agricultural Economics Club with the John Lee Coulter Award for outstanding achievement in North Dakota agricultural business.

Scholarship Information

Selection Criteria

• Junior/Senior Standing for 2008/2009 School Year
• Agricultural Transportation, Logistics, and Marketing Interest
• Demonstrated Academic Performance
• Activities/Leadership

Selection Committee

• Neal Fisher; ND Wheat Commission
• Dave Nelson; Past Director of UGPTI
• Denver Tolliver; Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
• Susan Council; College of Business

The scholarships recognize academic achievement and promote the education of transportation students at NDSU. Funding for the two $1,500 scholarship is provided by the Mountain-Plains Consortium through the University Transportation Centers Program of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Scholarship applications are due in March and winners are selected and notified by the end of the spring semester. To be considered, students must be a junior or senior, have an interest in transportation and demonstrate academic excellence. Scholarship winners are recognized each fall at the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute awards banquet.