The Southern Cotton Ginners Association has voted a memorial scholarship to the Mississippi State University Gin Management Technology School in honor of Kenton, Tenn., ginner Tom Wade.

The award was presented at the honors banquet held in conjunction with the association's annual meeting at the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show.

Wade, who died May 27, 2008, was involved in numerous enterprises, including Wade Gin Company, Yorkville Gin Company, cotton warehousing, grain storage and drying facilities, farm supply businesses, a strawberry operation, and other interests in the Kenton, Tenn., area, and was noted for his philanthropic endeavors.

“He had a remarkable consistency of character and business attributes,” said SCGA Executive Vice President Tim Price, in presenting the award to Wade's wife, Pat, and son, Will.

Several past SCGA scholarship winners have gone on to careers in agriculture, as gin managers or in some capacity in ginning or related areas.