For Students
Peltier Scholars
This fall, 10 students were selected as the inaugural cohort of Peltier Scholars. These students represent the next generation of ag tech innovators. The Peltier Scholars program helps fill a critical workforce need by introducing more students to the career opportunities available at the intersection of agriculture and engineering.
Peltier Scholar Recipients:
- Ellie Bargmann, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
- Nicholas Bayer, Agricultural Technology
- Jacob Drewicke, Agricultural Technology
- Samuel Eggl, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
- Chance Follmer, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
- Cody Frelich, Agricultural Technology
- Kellen Hansen, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
- William Marti, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
- Benjamin Rudnicki, Agricultural Technology
- Bryce Steen, Agricultural Technology
Congratulations to each of the recipients. They are the future leaders of agricultural innovation in North Dakota and beyond, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make.
Peltier Scholars Spotlight
Benjamin Rudnicki
Agricultural Technology
Can you tell us a little about your background? Any story that inspired you to choose this AgTech field?
I grew up in Blackduck, a small town in Northern Minnesota, where my family has a crop and cattle farm and a used equipment dealership. Through the dealership, I've seen how even used machinery is getting more and more high-tech. Seeing that shift made me want to learn more about agricultural technology. It’s only going to keep growing, so if I want to farm, I'd better know how it works.
What does receiving the Peltier Scholarship mean to you?
It means a lot. Not only is the financial support amazing, but it’s just an incredible honor that someone I've never even met believes in this program and us students enough to invest such a sizable amount. Beyond that, it has connected me with the other recipients, so many different NDSU faculty members, and—best of all—the Peltier family.
How do you see the Peltier Institute helping students like you in the future?
For one, helping pay for a student's tuition in such a sizable way is incredible. But it also connects us with so many different faculty members. It really shows that there are people out there who don't even know you but still want you to succeed, and that means a lot in itself.
What are your future goals or career plans after graduation?
After college, I plan on heading back to my family's farm to continue farming. I also want to work at our dealership, where I can use what I'm learning here about agricultural technology to help local farmers get the most out of these new systems.
What advice would you give to future students interested in agricultural technology?
Start looking into it. You'll never believe how far it actually reaches. I grew up in agriculture and thought I knew a good amount about agricultural technology, but in the time I've been going to NDSU, I've learned that it goes way further than I ever could have believed.