The 2014 International Cotton Institute class included students from Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, India, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and the U.S. The Institute – which includes eight weeks of study in cotton production, marketing, classing and more – is sponsored by the American Cotton Shippers Association and held at the University of Memphis. This year marks the Institute’s 20^th class.

Bill May (left), ACSA president, and Keith Elzie of ECOM, USA in Memphis confer prior to the Cotton Institute graduation ceremony.

Sayed Shoeb of Noble Natural Resources India was the winner of the Cotton Institute essay contest, sponsored annually by Meister Media Worldwide.

Cameras stayed busy as post-graduation photos were taken following the Cotton Institute graduation ceremony.

Several of the Cotton Institute graduates review their final grades following the ceremony.

Cotton Institute participants are formed into multiple teams for marketing assignments. The Yellow Team (notice their ties) was mentored this year by Michael Adams (center) of Cargill.