St. Edward’s University has received a grant from the Monsanto Foundation, and awarded scholarships to five students majoring in natural sciences, accounting and information technology.

The Monsanto Foundation is a private foundation managed by Monsanto Company, an agricultural company in food production. The Monsanto Foundation donated $25,000 to the College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP.

Director of Foundation Relations, Carol Januszeski, who oversees fundraising efforts with foundations and corporations said that the students were selected based on majors and financial aid. Seniors Marisol Serrano, Nancy Balderas, Ana Rodriguez, and Carlos Mendoza and Vanessa Bocanegra received scholarships from the grant.

Mendoza, a biology major and chemistry minor, has received considerable scholarships, including the Gates Millennium Scholarship, and said that getting financial assistance has helped him focus on his academics.

“It enables me to do my work without having to worry about external stresses,” he said. “I’m focused on what I need to do, and I don’t worry about food or housing.”

Monsanto and St. Edward’s have had a relationship since the 90s. Januszeski said that it began when two CAMP graduates went to work there. Enriqueta Cortez, ’88, and Mike Pierle, ’65, encouraged Monsanto to find out more about the CAMP program. Monsanto first donated to CAMP in 1997.

“It came from alumni that had benefited from the program and wanted to pay it forward,” Januszeski said.

Mendoza feels the same way, hoping to take his education to open a non-profit dental clinic in the Rio Grande Valley.

“That’s the idea, to go back there,” Mendoza said. “I appreciate all the scholarships. I don’t have a lot to give back now. That is why I volunteer.”