Forty-one dairy students from across the U.S. are receiving a total of $48,500 in scholarships from the National Dairy Shrine. These young dairy leaders will be recognized at the National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet on Monday, October 2nd in Madison, Wisconsin.
Kildee Scholarship
The Kildee Scholarship recognizes a graduate student studying a dairy related field and is named in honor of H.H. Kildee, Dean Emeritus at Iowa State University. Two students will receive this $3000 award this year: Kelsey Pasch and Ashley Waymire. Pasch earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in animal science and will continue her studies at Kansas State University, pursuing a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition. Waymire holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a dairy science minor from California Polytechnic University. She’ll pursue a Master of Science with the option for a PhD in animal biology at the University of California, Davis.
Senior Student Recognition Scholarships
The Senior Student Recognition Scholarships recognize outstanding leadership, activity participation, academic ability and a sincere interest in the dairy industry. These are earned by nomination from the university. The Dairy Shrine recognizes six graduating university/college seniors; the highest honoree receiving $2000, the second $1500, and other honorees receiving $1000 each.
The 2023 $2000 recipient is Ashley Hagenow of Poynette, Wisconsin. She obtained a degree from the University of Minnesota, majoring in agricultural communication and marketing with minors in animal science and agricultural and food business management. The $1500 winner is Miriam Cook of Pewamo, Michigan. She studied agriculture economics at Purdue University. The $1000 award winners are George Sebright (dairy science, Virginia Tech University), Zach Schilter (animal science – dairy production, University of Minnesota), Clarissa Gross (dairy science with agricultural business management certificate, University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Sophy Henisz (dairy science, Spanish, certificate in agricultural business management, University of Wisconsin-Madison).
Merton Sowerby Junior Merit Scholarships
The Merton Sowerby Scholarships recognize six junior level undergraduate students at a four-year college or university who are planning a career in the dairy industry. They are given in honor of Merton Sowerby, a National Dairy Shrine Pioneer and former Klussendorf winner from Michigan. The highest honoree receives $1500, with the remaining honorees receiving $1000 each.
The $1500 recipient is Doreen Dyt of Crows Landing, California (agricultural business, minor in water policy, California Polytechnic University). The $1000 recipients are Gracelyn Krahn (life sciences communication, certificate in political science, University of Wisconsin-Madison), Kendal Jenkins (animal science, business and animal management option, Pennsylvania State University), Jack Hammock (dairy science, Virginia Tech University), Elise Bleck (dairy science, certificates in life science communications and global health, University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Nicole Broege (dairy science with a data science certificate, University of Wisconsin-Madison).
Mike Lancaster Sophomore Merit Scholarships
The Mike Lancaster Scholarship recognizes undergraduate sophomores at a four-year college or university and encourages their pursuit of a career in the dairy industry. It is named in honor of former NDS Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder and Klussendorf winner, Mike Lancaster of Washington. One student is recognized at the $1500 level, and five students receive a $1000 award. Kylie Konyn of Escondido, California (dairy science, certificates in agricultural business management and science communications, University of Wisconsin-Madison) receives the top honor. Additional winners are Ben Styer (animal science, dairy production emphasis, University of Minnesota), Megan Ratka (animal science, University of Minnesota), Sara Hagenow (agricultural and food business management, minor in international agriculture, University of Minnesota), Aidan Ainslie (interdisciplinary studies, concentrating in dairy nutrition, Cornell University) and Haven Hileman (animal science, Ohio State University).
NDS / DMI Education & Communication Scholarships
The National 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 careers 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 $1500, and four additional winners receive $1000 each. Margaret Molitor of St. Cloud, Minnesota (double major in dairy production and agriculture communications, South Dakota State University) receives the top honor. Additional winners are Jaiden Cain (agribusiness with dairy science minor, Virginia Tech), Luke Borst (agricultural communication and marketing, University of Minnesota), Natalie Roe (dairy science and life sciences communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Madison Sifford (dairy science and communications, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).
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 $1500
level, with three additional recipients at the $1000 level. The $1500 honoree is Eliza Endres of Waunakee, Wisconsin (agricultural and food business management, minors in marketing and agricultural and environmental science communication, University of Minnesota). The three $1000 winners are Madeline Denlinger (food science, Pennsylvania State University), Ashlyn Sarbacker (dairy science with an emphasis on agriculture business, University of Wisconsin-Platteville), Libby Swatling (animal science, dairy management, Cornell University) and Raegan Kime (agriculture and rural policy studies, Iowa State University).
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. This year, the Maurice Core Scholarships recognize six freshman level college or university students majoring in dairy or animal science, or an industry-related field. Receiving $1000 each are Clarissa Ulness (dairy science, University of Wisconsin-Madison), Hayley Daubert (dairy manufacturing, South Dakota State University), Regan Jackson (nutrition and food science, minor in biology, Louisiana State University), Delana Erbsen (dairy science, minor in genetics, Iowa State University), Madelyn Hoffman (animal science, Cornell University) and Laken DuRussel (animal science, Michigan 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 $1000 awards this year: Lauren Breunig (life sciences communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison), Jordan Anderson (agriculture communications, University of Wyoming) and Makenzie Alberts (agriculture communications and leadership, minor in dairy industry, public relations, leadership and management of nonprofit organizations, South Dakota State University).
Iager Scholarships
The Charles Iager family of Fulton, MD donated the funds that established these scholarships. This year, the Iager Scholarship is given to two 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. Samuel Mess (agribusiness science and technology – animal science, Fox Valley Technical College) and Naomi Scott (agricultural science, Kaskaskia) win $1000 each.
