Nebraska

The University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff announced recently a major gift commitment from Charles and Eunice Fenster of Gering to establish the center's first ever endowed professorship.

The gift from the University of Nebraska graduates creates the Charles R. and Eunice R. Fenster Professorship Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation. Income from this endowed fund will provide an annual stipend to a full-time faculty member working on dryland cropping systems, new crop development, pest management or other practices relevant to dryland crop producers. The award recipient will hold the title of Fenster Professor of Dryland Agriculture.

"The Fenster Professorship for Dryland Agriculture is a tremendous commitment to the Nebraska Panhandle," said Dr. Charles Hibberd, director of the Panhandle Research and Extension Center. "Dryland crop production is a very important component of our agricultural economy. This professorship helps ensure that strong research and extension programs in dryland agriculture will continue in perpetuity.

"With this Professorship, Charlie and Eunice Fenster continue to demonstrate their commitment to the profitable and sustainable dryland agriculture in western Nebraska," Hibberd said. "We are sincerely appreciative of this commitment."

The Fensters have supported the university's endeavors in the Panhandle for many years. Their contributions have supported the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Alumni Scholarship Fund, the Dryland Crop Research Fund for the High Plains Agriculture Laboratory, the Fenster District Fund for support of Panhandle family-based programs, and the NU Panhandle Center Discretionary Fund.

Charles was born and raised in Chappell on his family's farm and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1942 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. Eunice Berggren Fenster is from St. Paul and graduated from the university in 1940 with a bachelor's degree in home economics.

Charles and Eunice Fenster met in Hooper, where she was teaching vocational home economics, and to where he moved following graduation to teach vocational agriculture. After marrying they moved to Stanton, where Charles began teaching vocational agriculture and Eunice served as a substitute teacher.

The Fensters later moved to Pierce, where Charles took a job with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, and Eunice worked for the University of Nebraska as a home economics agent in Pierce, Antelope, Cedar and Knox counties.

In 1956 they moved with their two children, Larry and Kay, to Alliance, where Charles began his work with the University of Nebraska as a crop management specialist and conducted wind erosion control research. Many of the techniques he developed are widely used throughout the world and provide the foundation for today's conservation tillage movement.

In 1966 they moved to Gering, where Charles became a full-time professor with the university and Extension agronomist in Scottsbluff at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center until his retirement in 1982. He became world renowned for his work on conservation tillage, cultural practices with winter Wheat production, including association of date of seeding with elevation, and cropping systems. During the years of raising their family, Eunice remained active in fair event judging, sewing and quilting.

Charles Fenster received many honors and awards during his career. He was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement in 1983, and in 1991 was recognized as an honoree for the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement. In 2000 he was recognized as an honoree for the Nebraska Agribusiness Club Public Service to Agriculture Award.

Charles Fenster has been an active member of the Gering Park Board and the Scottsbluff Kiwanis. He helped establish and has provided major support to the Farm and Ranch Museum in Gering. Charles played a vital role in establishing the UNL Panhandle Alumni Chapter, and he and Eunice have been active participants in the chapter activities for the past 20 years. Charles and Eunice are active members of Faith Lutheran Church in Gering.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization supplementing support for students, faculty, facilities and programs at the University of Nebraska's four campuses through gifts from alumni, friends, corporations and other foundations.