CNU Scholars

On April 23rd, Smithfield Foods hosted the Christopher Newport University (CNU) Scholars for a formal, well-deserved reception at our company’s headquarters in Smithfield, VA. In attendance were 35 CNU Smithfield Scholars from the Class of 2012, CNU President Paul Trible, 33 Smithfield Foods employees who are CNU Alumni and Smithfield Foods' Officers. The students were welcome by our CEO, C. Larry Pope, and led in a tour of the Smithfield offices, where they learned about the history of the company. The afternoon event ended with a reception on the Boardwalk, to honor the hard-working CNU Smithfield scholars.

Like Smithfield Foods and the Smithfield-Luter Foundation, CNU started as a small Virginia operation in Newport News, with a vision of growth and expansion into a nationally-recognized institution. In 2005, Smithfield committed $5 million to help the school achieve that goal. The gift is the largest single donation that CNU has ever received.  

The Smithfield Foods' Leadership Scholarship Program has awarded a total of 50 scholarships a year ($10,000 each) over the past 4 years, as well as an extra $2,000 to encourage participation in study abroad programs. The program includes special lectures and a 100-hour  public-service requirement.