Michigan State student receives $1,000 MPIC scholarship

A Michigan State University student has been named the 2025 recipient of the $1,000 Michigan Potato Industry Commission scholarship.

Ian Smith is majoring in agricultural industries major at MSU, where he has worked in both the MSU Potato Outreach Program and the MSU Potato Breeding and Genetics Department during the past five years.

He currently works in MSU’s plant pathology lab.

David Douches, head of the MUS’s potato breeding program, wrote a letter of support for Smith in his scholarship application.

“Some things we can summarize about Ian is that he is motivated to learn about the potato program; he is engaged with tasks and looks for ways to contribute; he is punctual at work, communicates well, and is a team player and a pleasure to work with,” Douches wrote.