U of I to honor ag industry during football game

CHAMPAIGN - The University of Illinois is set to pay tribute to the state's agriculture industry during the upcoming Illinois-Purdue football game.

In a news release Tuesday, university officials say agriculture is a vital industry in Illinois, and people who work in it will be recognized on Saturday. The university's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences also will receive an $8,000 check to help with programming and student recruitment.

Robert Hauser is a professor and dean of the college. He says the college "is most grateful and excited to be able to award this new scholarship to talented undergraduates interested in careers related to food, agriculture, and the environment."

The money was donated by eight agribusinesses, most of which also are corporate partners of Illinois Athletics.