Corley Becker awarded 2023 Droge Agricultural Scholarship

Corley Becker, daughter of Dean and Diane Becker, will be a senior at Kansas State University and is in the College of Agriculture majoring in Agricultural Education. After graduating from the Nemaha Central High School, Corley attended Kansas State University in Manhattan. “I hope to become an inspiring Ag teacher/FFA advisor or 4-H extension agent in the future. I have found my home-away-from-home in Agricultural Education because of a few things; our three advisors in the ag education department are knowledgeable, caring, personable, and have become amazing mentors in my life. This program is designed to give a well-rounded education in all aspects of agriculture and sets students on the right track to become teachers or extension agents, which are both jobs I see myself doing in the future. I am also minoring in Animal Science because I have always loved learning about animals and the science behind them, and I hope to have my own farm one day,” Becker shared in her scholarship application. “No matter what job that I land in, I want to be helping people in the agriculture industry. I have absolutely loved my journey on this career path so far and I am eager to learn more about the agriculture field and share my knowledge for many years to come.”

Becker has been involved in many organizations at Kansas State University. They include being a College of Agriculture Ambassador, being on the Teach Ag Students of Kansas (also known as TASK force), and serving as an officer in the K-State Ag Ed Club. She has traveled to many different events across the state including Greenhand Conferences to lead interactive workshops, to multiple middle school events to lead other workshops, to events and recognizing teachers and students pursuing agricultural education at their district banquet at the end of the year. Overall, Becker really enjoys staying busy and meeting new people through her experiences.

The Nemaha County STEP Foundation is proud to award Corley Becker the $500 scholarship established in 2008 by Lola Droge and her family which is called the Leslie Albert and Lola Fern Droge Scholarship for Agricultural Studies. 

The scholarship honors Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Droge who lived and farmed most of their married life in Nemaha County.  Leslie and Lola purchased and moved to the Droge family farm after Leslie returned from serving his country in World War II. 

The couple was progressive and looked for new and modern ways of farming.  They became leaders in terracing and other land conservation methods.  Managing a cow and calf herd along with grasslands, wheat, and row crops, they provided a living for their family while producing plants and animals to help feed the world. 

Not only did they work hard in agriculture, but they also served in other areas as well.  Lola was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was actively involved in her political party.  Leslie served in the Kansas Senate and was chairperson of the Senate Agricultural committee.  Leslie and Lola, as well as their five children, all attended Kansas State University.

The Leslie Albert and Lola Fern Droge Scholarship for Agricultural Studies is awarded to a Nemaha County high school graduate who is a junior or above and enrolled in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University.