Cooper Farms gives to Lake Campus

VW independent/submitted information

CELINA — For more than 50 years, the Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) has responded to the educational needs of residents in Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, and Van Wert counties by providing the resources to allow residents access to college instruction.

Dianne Cooper (second from left), Cooper Farms corporate secretary, and Marv Lefeld (right), chief financial officer, present a $75,000 check from the Cooper Family Foundation to Julie Miller, WOEF development officer, and Tom Knapke, WOEF Board member. (photo submitted) — Dianne Cooper (second from left), Cooper Farms corporate secretary, and Marv Lefeld (right), chief financial officer, present a $75,000 check from the Cooper Family Foundation to Julie Miller, WOEF development officer, and Tom Knapke, WOEF Board member. *(photo submitted)*

The foundation secured the funding to build and operate an institution of higher education, and, since 1962, the WOEF has remained strongly committed to the success of the Lake Campus.

In 1938, Virgil Cooper raised his first flock of 500 turkeys for the holidays and started what is now Cooper Farms. Over the years, the company has diversified into three divisions: the Live Animal Division in Oakwood and Fort Recovery, the Food Processing Division in St. Henry, and the Cooked Meats Plant in Van Wert.

The Foundation, a proud supporter of the Rise … Shine Campaign of Wright State University, has gifted $75,000 for use in the agribusiness program at the Lake Campus. The program combines classroom instruction and real world perspectives from industry professionals to prepare students to excel in technical and business careers in the agricultural field.

To find out more about WOEF scholarship programs, log onto www.wright.edu/lake/woef.html.

POSTED: 08/17/16 at 6:37 am. FILED UNDER: News