The Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation has awarded $95,000 in scholarships to 33 Michigan State University (MSU) students pursuing dairy industry-related programs of study for the 2015-16 academic year.

The following nine MSU students were awarded $3,500 scholarships from the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation:

  • Megan Ahearne, animal science senior and daughter of Patrick and Rebecca Ahearne of Bath
  • Nathan Buning, agribusiness management junior and son of Norman and Holly Buning of Falmouth
  • Suzanna Hull, animal science freshman and daughter of Michael and Lori Hull of North Adams
  • Caroline Knoblock, animal science junior and daughter of Joseph and Venessa Knoblock of Ionia
  • Torei Kulpinski, animal science sophomore and daughter of Michael and Tara Kulpinski of Coldwater
  • James Luoma, animal science junior and son of Jim and Lori Luoma of East Leroy
  • Laura Lubeski, animal science senior and daughter of Doug Lubeski and Linda Gucwa of Bad Axe
  • Brittni Tucker, production animal scholar and daughter of Glenn and Joni Tucker of Elsie
  • Marin Western, animal science sophomore and daughter of Ken and Julie Western of Croswell


Five students pursuing a two-year certificate in the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) dairy management program each earned $2,000 scholarships from the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation:

  • Rachel Ekkel, freshman, daughter of Doug and Shelly Ekkel of Fremont
  • Seth Hulst, freshman, son of Colleen Maycroft of Coopersville
  • Amber Iden, sophomore, daughter of Randy Iden and Tammy Gwisdalla of Bad Axe
  • David Krafft, sophomore, son of Bob and Deb Krafft of Frankenmuth
  • Cara Perkins, sophomore, daughter of Eric and Jane Perkins of Hudson


Seven first-year students were awarded the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Freshman Scholarships worth $1,500:


  • Shelby Berens, IAT dairy management certificate program student and daughter of Jeff and Beverly Berens of Holland
  • Tyler Cappaert, agribusiness management sophomore (transfer student) and son of David and Virginia Cappaert of Stephenson
  • Erica Drake, IAT dairy management certificate program student and daughter of Steven and Leslie Drake of Ann Arbor
  • Charlene (Charley) McAlvey, animal science freshman and daughter of Brian and Jackie McAlvey of Owosso
  • Mason Smith, IAT dairy management certificate program student and son of Brad Smith of Homer
  • Elizabeth (Libby) Venema, animal science freshman and daughter of Martin and Lisa Venema of Deford
  • Jared Sanderson, animal science freshman and son of Michael and Pattie Sanderson of Sandusky


The Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation oversees the largest scholarship program in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and one of the largest at MSU.

For information on making contributions to honor members of the dairy industry or to support student scholarships, please contact the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources External Relations at 517-355-0284. To learn more about the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, contact Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen in the MSU Department of Animal Science at 517-432-5443.

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2.16.2016