110 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2024 FRIEND OF THE FOUNDATION NCF was pleased to announce Ivan Rush, Ph.D., as the 2023 recipient of the Friend of the Foundation award. Rush is a southwest Missouri native graduating from the University of Missouri who graduated with a degree in animal science. He went on to serve as a Dawson County associate Extension agent from 1963 to 1965 and internationally in Colombia as a beef and sheep specialist with the Agency for International Development from 1965 to 1968. In 1972, he received his doctorate in ruminant nutrition from Oklahoma State University and went on to serve most of his career as a beef Extension specialist at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. Rush served on the NCF Board from 1998 to 2008 where he was instrumental in the implementation of the foundation’s primary fundraiser, the Retail Value Steer Challenge (RVSC), to help provide scholarships to students to continue pursuing their education goals. Rush developed the scoring system for the RVSC, which is now going on its 25th year, growing from just 46 donated steers in its first year to more than 160 steers donated each year. Rush, along with his wife, Doris, are passionate about educating the next generation of leaders and have devoted much of their time, talent and treasure to the Nebraska cattle industry and Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. Established in 1968, the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation’s mission is to advance the future of Nebraska’s beef industry by investing in research and education programs. The foundation’s success and its ability to endow scholarships, sponsor leadership and education programs, and assist with research and infrastructure projects have been possible only because of the support from the Nebraska cattle producers and allied industries. For more information concerning NCF, contact Lee Weide, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Secretary, at (402) 475-2333 or Jana Jensen, NCF fundraising coordinator, at (308) 5886299. ~NC~ Mitch Stephenson, left, receives recognition for the Nebraska Range & Conservation Endowment grant from NC Foundation President Ryan Loseke, right. Tommy Wheeler, left, receives recognition for the Nebraska Beef Industry Endowment grant from NC Foundation President Ryan Loseke, right. NC FOUNDATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 108 Ivan Rush shares the spotlight with family after receiving the NCF Friend of the Foundation award at the 2023 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention. Pictured, left to right, are grandson Peyton Schaneman and his fiance Libby Schroeder, daughter Angela Schaneman, Ivan and Doris Rush, and grandson Carson Schaneman. NCF AWARDS Nebraska Beef Industry Endowment The Nebraska Beef Industry Endowment was established in December 2009 and provides grants to beef industry-related research and/or teaching positions at Nebraska post-secondary educational institutions. This award honors those professors or instructors who are providing cutting-edge research and/or student instruction in a beef industry related area. Nebraska Range & Conservation Endowment The Nebraska Range & Conservation Endowment was established in December 2011 and provides grants to range management and conservation research and/or teaching positions at Nebraska post-secondary educational institutions. This award honors professors or instructors who are providing cutting-edge research and/or student instruction in a range management and conservation related area. Friend of the Foundation The Friend of the Foundation award is presented to a person or business that has shared endless amounts of time, talent and treasure with the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation.
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