Dr. Fred R. Taylor and Hildegarde M. Taylor

Higher education was extremely important to both Fred and Hildegarde Taylor. Each struggled financially to complete their undergraduate degrees during the 1930’s depression and were first generation of their family to complete B.S. degrees.

The couple met when both were working for the University of Minnesota (UM) Extension Service. Fred completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics at UM after serving in the Philippines during WW II. Following graduate school, he was Department Chair of Agricultural Economics at the University of Rhode Island in the early ‘50s and at North Dakota State University from 1955 – 1980. Dr. Taylor received many awards in his field.

Hildegarde worked for the MN Extension Service, taught at several high schools in MN and ND, and served as Director of School lunch programs. She completed her M.S. in Food and Nutrition at NDSU while raising her family, taught Home Economics at Shanley High School for 18 years and initiated their Speech and Debate program.

Both were actively involved in their family, work, church, and community. Fred and Hildegarde raised and instilled the love of learning in their four children, all of whom earned B.S. degrees. Additionally, one son earned an M.D. in Neurology and one daughter an M.S. and Ph.D. in Cereal Chemistry. This scholarship honors the Taylor’s wish to pass on the love of learning to future generations.