Thirty six students from across the U.S. will benefit from $43,500 in scholarships from the Dairy Shrine. These outstanding young leaders will be recognized at the Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet on Monday, October 3rd in Madison, WI.
Kildee Scholarship
The Kildee Scholarship is named in honor of H.H. Kildee, Dean Emeritus at Iowa State University and recognizes a graduate student studying a dairy related field. Two students will receive this $3000 award this year: Gaelan Combs and Jessica Schmitt. Combs studied Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and will continue his studies at Iowa State pursuing a PhD in Animal Science. Schmitt earned her Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State in Dairy Science, International Agriculture, Agricultural Education and Life Sciences Communications. She plans to pursue an online Master’s Degree in Communication – Strategic Communication/Public Relations Option at Purdue University’s Brian Lamb School of Communication.
Senior Student Recognition Scholarships
The Senior Student Recognition Scholarships recognize outstanding leadership, activity participation, academic ability and a sincere interest in the dairy industry. The Dairy Shrine recognizes six graduating university/college seniors; the highest honoree receiving $2,000, the second $1,500, and other honorees receiving $1,000 each.
The 2022 $2,000 recipient is Caroline Dallam of Bel Air, MD, with an Animal Science degree from Pennsylvania State University. Sarah Lehner of Delaware, OH, will receive the $1,500 award. Lehner double-majored in Animal Sciences and Agribusiness and Applied Economics at The Ohio State University. The $1,000 award winners are Lantz Adams of Laton, CA (Dairy Science at California Polytechnic University), Leif Annexstad of St. Peter, MN (Animal Science, Agricultural and Food Business Management at the University of Minnesota), Matthias Annexstad of St. Peter, MN (Animal Science at the University of Minnesota) and Hayley Fernandes of Tulare, CA (Dairy Science at California Polytechnic University).
Merton Sowerby Junior Merit Scholarships
The Merton Sowerby Scholarships are given in honor of Merton Sowerby, a National Dairy Shrine Pioneer and former Klussendorf winner from Michigan. This award recognizes six junior level undergraduate students at a four-year college or university who are planning a career in the dairy industry. The highest honoree receives $1,500, with the remaining honorees receiving $1,000 each.
The $1,500 recipient is Ashley Hagenow of Poynette, WI (Agricultural Communication and Marketing with minors in Animal Science and Food Business Management at the University of Minnesota). The $1,000 recipients are Miriam Cook of Pewamo, MI (Agriculture Economics at Purdue University), Jay Dicke of Goodhue, MN (Agricultural Good Business Management at the University of Minnesota), Ross Herber of Utica, MN (Dairy Production at South Dakota State Univeristy), Anton Schilter of Chehalis, WA (Animal Science at the University of Minnesota) and Kendra Waldenberger of Spring Grove, MN (Animal Science with a Dairy Production emphasis and Agricultural Communication and Marketing at the University of Minnesota).
Mike Lancaster Sophomore Merit Scholarships
The Mike Lancaster Scholarship is named in honor of former Dairy Shrine Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder and Klussendorf winner, Mike Lancaster of Washington. It recognizes undergraduate sophomores at a four-year college or university and encourages their pursuit of a career in the dairy industry.
One student is reconized at the $1,500 level, and five students receive a $1,000 award. Doreen Dyt of Crows Landing, CA (Agricultural Business at California Polytechnic University) receives the top honor. Additional winners are Elise Bleck of Glenbeulah, WI (Dairy Science, Pre-Med at the University of Wisconsin-Madison), Jack Hammock of Chatham, VA (Dairy Science at Virginia Tech), Kendal Jenkins of Crossroads, PA (Animal Science, Business and Animal Management Option at the Pennsylvania State University), Ashlyn Sarbacker of Edgerton, WI (Dairy Science with an emphasis in Agriculture Business at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville) and Madison Sifford of Goldvein, VA (Dairy Science and Communication Science and Social Inquiry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).
NDS / DMI Education & Communication Scholarships
The Dairy Shrine and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) established these scholarships to support sophomore and junior level students in a four-year college or university pursuing education or communication creers in the dairy or food-related industries. These awards are open to students majoring in Marketing, Food Science, Nutrition (human), Public Relations, Education, Social Media and Communications.
The top honoree receives $1,500, and three additional winners receive $1,000 each. Brenna Connelly of Byron, MN (Agricultural Communication and Marketing, Animal Science at the University of Minnesota) receives the top honor. Additional winners are Kelsey Biel of Harmony, MN (Agricultural Education and Animal Science at the University of Minnesota), Elizabeth Holtry of Newburg, PA (Agricultural Extension and Education at Pennsylvania State University) and Kaylee Mess of Rosendale, WI (Agriculture Education and Technology Education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville).
NDS / DMI Milk Marketing & Dairy Products Scholarships
Similar to the Education and Communication Scholarships, DMI and the Dairy Shrine support sophomore and junior-level students in a four-year college or university with these awards. The Milk Marketing and Dairy Products Scholarships encourage students to pursue careers in the marketing of milk or dairy products, dairy product development, quality control, nutrition or related roles in the dairy and food industries. One student is recognized at the $1,500 level, with two additional recipients at the $1,000 level.
The $1,500 honoree is Taylor Baerwolf of Columbus, WI (Animal Science at the University of Minnesota). The two $1,000 winners are Mary Holtz of Maquoketa, IA (Dairy Science and International Agriculture at Iowa State University) and Mikayla Peper of Osceola, WI (Agricultural Communication and Marketing at the University of Minnesota).
Maurice Core Scholarships
The friends of Maurice Core, longtime Executive Secretary of the American Jersey Cattle Association and former Dairy Shrine Secretary/Executive Director, donated the funds for these awards. The Maurice Core Scholarships recognize five freshman level college or university students majoring in dairy or animal science, or an industry-related field.
Receiving $1,000 each are Samantha Gambonini of Petaluma, CA (Agricultural Education and Animal Science at Washington State University), Sarah Hagenow of Poynette, WI (Agricultural and Food Business Management, Minor in Animal Science at the University of Minnesota), Haven Hileman of Stout, OH (Animal Science at The Ohio State University), Megan Ratka of Cold Spring, MN (Animal Science – Dairy Production at the University of Minnesota) and Katelyn Taylor of Allenwood, PA (Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University).
Marshall McCullough Communications Scholarships
Marshall McCullough was a respected nutrition researcher, educator and journalist from Georgia. These scholarships are given, in his memory, to freshmen majoring in agricultural journalism or communications at a four-year college or university.
Three students receive $1,000 awards this year: Haley Beukema of New Richmond, WI (Agricultural Communication and Marketing at the University of Minnesota), Kylie Konyn of Escondido, CA (Dairy Science with Certificates in Life Sciences Communication and Agricultural Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Megan Meyer of Rollingstone, MN (Agricultural and Food Business Management, Minor in Political Science at the University of Minnesota).
Iager Scholarships
The Charles Iager family of Fulton, MD donated the funds that established these scholarships. The Iager Scholarship is given to second-year students in two-year agricultural schools, majoring in animal or dairy science, based on academic standing, leadership, interest in the dairy industry and future plans. Rosalee Zehr, Pontiac IL (Dairy Science at Kaskaskia College) wins this $1,000 award.