Sophomore Nina Story has a passion for track and field sports. As a club athlete in middle school, then a top hurdler at Landmark Christian School in Atlanta, she knew she had a talent for going fast.
But she didn’t know much about N.C. A&T until she saw the track team’s coverage in news media.
“Track and field was a big deal at my high school,” Story said. “I heard about A&T’s track team and knew I wanted to be a part of that.”
With a little web research, she came to know A&T as a top university for agricultural and environmental sciences, and decided to apply.
“I learned it was a premier institution for agriculture,” she said. “I’d never been on a farm before. But I was drawn to the strong sense of community at A&T, and I knew I wanted to go into research and be with people who share the same passion as me, striving to get an education.”
Now, the animal sciences major -- who runs the 400-meter hurdles and 800-meter dash on the Aggie women’s track and field team -- has seen her interests come together and pay off: She is the first recipient of the $2,500 Ag Day Scholarship, presented by global agricultural technology company Syngenta US, awarded to an athlete who is an equally strong student.
The university designated the Nov. 2 home football game against William & Mary as “Ag Day 2024,” joining with N.C. A&T Athletics, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and Syngenta US to celebrate with the football game; a fan, faculty and alumni tailgate; and the scholarship presentation, all at Truist Stadium.
“Winning the scholarship makes me feel wonderful,” said Story. “I feel blessed and appreciative.”
Ag Day celebrates North Carolina’s top industry, agriculture and agribusiness, which in 2024 had an economic impact of more than $110 billion. It also celebrates the historic and ongoing impact N.C. A&T’s faculty, staff and students have on that industry.
“The ‘A’ in A&T is the foundation, meaning agriculture,” said Chancellor James R. Martin II, Ph.D. “Agriculture has expanded in its use from the beginnings of growing food and supporting humanity, but now clothing, furniture, medicine - all of that is part of agriculture.”
Faculty, staff and students enjoyed events that included a pre-game tailgate, featuring 4-H students demonstrating drone coding; videos showcasing the college’s four departments; and opportunities to connect with alumni and academic leaders.
“Syngenta is a neighbor of N.C. A&T State University and we relish this opportunity,” said Carroll Moseley, Ph.D., head of state regulatory affairs at Syngenta. “We should be thinking about agriculture three times a day when we have our meals, but with 1 percent now producing food for the 99 percent, it’s more difficult to explain to folks where their food comes from. We’re trying to do that today.”
The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is the largest college of agriculture at any Historically Black College and University, with a $45 million research portfolio and more than 50,000 contacts each year through N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension. The college focuses on small, limited-resource and underserved farmers, bringing research and outreach into their communities to improve their lives.
As they enjoyed music, hamburgers and hotdogs, tailgate attendees shared their reasons for celebrating “The ‘A’ in A&T.”
“Ag is life. It’s our food, our fiber and our fuel. Without it, we would cease to exist,” said Shirley Hymon-Parker, interim dean of the college. “We’re thankful to Syngenta for their sponsorship, for their leadership on our board and for making this scholarship available.”
Last year, Story was running drills in practice when she heard a crack from her left knee. She finished practice and continued to work out with the team until she realized something was badly wrong.
She had broken cartilage, forcing her to have surgery and rehabilitate. But she didn’t quit.
“I’m still in rehab, but I run cross country, indoor and outdoor track. It’s the only sport that goes all year,” she said.
The scholarship is not the only way her decision to come to N.C. A&T has paid off, Story said.
“I’ve gotten to know myself on a deeper level and built my character,” she said. “A&T is the reason I’ve grown so much.”
