Sowing Seeds for Scholars
When he’s not helping Farm Credit Bank of Texas support agriculture and rural communities with reliable credit and financial services, Buddy Cortese ’69 can usually be found roaming the family ranch in Fort Sumner, N.M., playing with his grandchildren or taking long walks with his wife Mary ’71.
Earlier this year, Cortese was inducted into the Farm Credit Bank of Texas Academy of Honor, which established a $25,000 scholarship in his name at a university of his choice. Cortese chose to give the scholarship to his alma mater, NMSU, for the Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Department.
The Ralph W. “Buddy” Cortese Farm Credit Bank of Texas Academy of Honor Scholarship supports the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Recipients must be full-time students, pursing a master or doctorate degree in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business, must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5, and be a U.S. resident.
A HISTORY OF COMMUNITY DEVOTION
“I spent some of my finest years at NMSU pursuing my AgEcon degree, and I am thrilled to give back to my alma mater in support of our future farmers and ranchers who want to make an impact in the state,” said Cortese.
A native of Fort Sumner, Cortese grew up on the family ranch raising beef cattle, alfalfa and wheat. Now retired, he and Mary – a former teacher who received an English degree from NMSU – have spent more than five decades in their rural community supporting causes ranging from children’s services to Native American art and history.
“Through my work, I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest graduates of the College of ACES. It is always a good investment to bank on the alumni of New Mexico State.”
SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST
Cortese was a member of the bank’s board of directors for 28 years, including 11 years as chair and two years as vice chair. A former chairman of the Production Credit Association of Eastern New Mexico, he serves on the boards of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation and the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council. He devoted decades of service to the Farm Credit System so rural Americans could succeed with the support of dependable funding and credit expertise.
“We are grateful to Buddy Cortese and Farm Credit Bank of Texas for this scholarship,” said David Strong, Interim President, NMSU Foundation. “Through socially responsible outreach and giving programs, FCBT aims to make a difference locally and nationally, and we’re so pleased that Buddy chose to support NMSU students who are also working to make a difference in our world,” he added.
ABOUT FARM CREDIT BANK OF TEXAS
With $37.5 billion in assets, Farm Credit Bank of Texas is a cooperatively owned wholesale bank that finances agriculture and rural America. Headquartered in Austin, it funds 14 local lending cooperatives so they can make loans to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and rural property owners in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. The bank is a part of the Farm Credit System, the nation’s oldest and largest source of rural financing.