Jim Graham Leadership Scholarship

Every year, CCC offers a $1,000 Leadership Scholarship to a past Cooperative Leadership Camp attendee in honor of "The Sodfather," Jim Graham.

$1,000 College Scholarship

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 14, 2025

All applications are reviewed by a scholarship committee according to an established rubric of criteria.

A scholarship recipient will be selected based on the student's understanding of the cooperative movement, leadership skills, extracurricular activities,, and community involvement.

Are you a mentor writing a letter of recommendation for a student applicant? Please read this.

Jim Graham Scholarship Awardees

We're proud of past scholarship recipients!

Scarlett Votaw

2024 Recipient

Sponsor: Four County EMC Rose Hill, NC

View Scarlet's acceptance video

Karlie Keepfer

2023 Recipient

Sponsor: SkyLine SkyBest West Jefferson, NC

View Karlie's acceptance video

Gabriel Butler

2023 Recipient

Sponsor: Carteret-Craven EMC Havelock, NC

View Gabriel's acceptance video

Melaney Caudill

2022 Recipient

Sponsor: Carolinas Credit Union League Raleigh, NC

View Melaney's acceptance video

Tyler Gupton

2021 Recipient

Sponsor: Roanoke Electric Cooperative Ahoskie, NC

View Tyler's acceptance video

Haley Sears

2020 Recipient

Sponsor: Local Government FCU Raleigh, NC

View Haley's acceptance video

Ty Randleman

2019 Recipient

Sponsor: Star Communications Clinton, NC

Autumn Biggie

2018 Recipient

Sponsor: Ag Carolina Farm Credit Raleigh, NC

Anna Curry

2017 Recipient

Sponsor: Cooperative Council of NC Raleigh, NC

James Allen Graham

1921-2003

James “Jim” Allen Graham personified North Carolina agriculture for nearly 40 years, serving as the longest agriculture commissioner for the state. This earned him the nickname “The Sodfather,” and induction into the North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame. Jim believed in youth education and our Cooperative Leadership Camp. He even visited one summer by way of helicopter!