Montana State University |
Montana State University |
from MSU News Service
4/25/2001
BOZEMAN -- Mary Sobotka of Glendive has created an endowment for scholarships in memory of her husband, August, who died in 1997.
The endowment provides scholarships as well as serves as a lasting memorial. The scholarships will reward and help students working towards educational excellence in the Montana State University College of Agriculture. This spring, $2,500 in proceeds from the endowment was awarded to College of Agriculture students to aid them with expenses during the Fall 2001 school year.
Mary Sobotka chose an agriculture award because August had spent his life as a
farmer and rancher. The son of John and Louise Sobotka, August was born on his
parent’s homestead near Stipek. He
attended rural Dawson County elementary
schools
and was a student at Glendive High School when his father died in 1927. August then
began running the family’s farm and ranch with his mother until her death in 1960. He
continued to farm and ranch until his death in 1997. August and Mary Currie Knutson were
married in June 1961.
August was a charter member of the Dawson County Farmer’s Union and was instrumental in organizing the Dawson Livestock Protective Association. He belonged to the Moose and Elks Lodges. Recognition of his philosophy of land stewardship came in 1962 when he was named “Conservation Farmer of the Year” for Dawson County and the state of Montana.
The Sobotka Memorial Agriculture Award will provide scholarships to worthy students in agriculture. First preference will be given to students from Dawson, Richland, McCone, Wibaux and Prairie Counties.
Photo: Mary and August Sobotka in l987
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Send questions or comments to Carol Flaherty, MSU Communications Services, Bozeman, MT 59717 or email Flaherty at carolf@montana.edu.
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