The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

The National Dairy Shrine is pleased to announce the recipients of the NDS scholarships for 2019. National Dairy Shrine will provide 40 scholarships worth $47,000 to students at their annual scholarship & awards banquet on Thursday, October 3rd in Madison, Wisconsin. This announcement highlights the scholarship winners so their friends and family can plan ahead to attend the NDS Awards Banquet. More detailed news releases on scholarship recipients will be published this summer as student recipient photos become available.

Kildee Scholarships

Receiving a H.H. Kildee Graduate Studies $3,000 Scholarship is Laura Jensen of Comstock, Wisconsin. Laura attended the University of Minnesota and will be entering graduate school at the University of Florida in dairy cattle reproduction and genetics.

Alexandra Gambonini of Petaluma, California, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the H.H. Kildee Undergraduate Studies $1000 Scholarship. She attended California Polytechnic State University and majored in Dairy Science and Agricultural Business.

Senior Student Recognition Scholarships

The NDS Senior Student Recognition program recognizes graduating seniors planning a career related to the dairy industry who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, academic ability, and a sincere interest in dairy cattle. Each university is allowed to nominate up to two candidates for this recognition in any given year. The highest honoree receives a $2000 award, the second a $1500 award and the other honorees receive $1000 awards.

The top scholarship recipient of $2000 is Alexandra Gambonini of Petaluma, California who majored in Dairy Science and Agricultural Business at California Polytechnic State University. The second award of $1500 goes to Brooke Roberts of Whitelaw, Wisconsin. She is graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Agricultural Communication and Marketing. The next $1000 recipient is Erica Helmer from Plymouth, Wisconsin, who received a Dairy Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Then Abigail Jantzi from Clymer, New York, who majored in Animal Science at Penn State University. Following is Elisabeth Regusci from Modesto, California, who majored in Dairy Science at Cal Poly. The final senior recognition honoree is Katelyn Allen from Jefferson, Maryland who was a major in Dairy Science at Virginia Tech.

NDS / DMI Milk Marketing & Dairy Products Scholarships

These generous scholarships are made possible by Dairy Management Inc. and NDS to encourage students to pursue careers in dairy product or milk marketing, dairy product development and/or quality control or similar roles in the dairy & food industries.

Emily Annexstad of St Peter, Minnesota has been awarded the NDS / DMI Milk & Dairy Products top scholarship of $1500. Emily is an Animal Science and Agricultural Communications & Marketing double major at the University of Minnesota.

Additionally, three other undergraduate students have been awarded $1000 scholarships.

These scholarship recipients are Kathryn Gardner of Fayetteville, Arkansas who is majoring in Agricultural Communications and Agribusiness Marketing at the University of Arkansas. Ashley Warren of Watkins, Minnesota who is attending the University of Minnesota majoring in Agricultural Communications & Marketing. Next is, Samantha Schuessler of Antigo, Wisconsin who is attending Cal Poly and majoring in Dairy Science with an agricultural communications minor.

NDS/DMI Education & Communication Scholarships

These generous scholarships are made possible by Dairy Management Inc. and NDS to encourage students to pursue education or communication careers in the dairy product industry or related food industries. Major areas include Marketing, Education, Food Science, Nutrition (Human), Public Relations, Promotion, Social Media and Communications.

Erika Franzen-Ackerman of Frederika, Iowa has been awarded the NDS / DMI Education & Communication top scholarship of $1500. Erika is a Dairy Manufacturing major at South Dakota State University.

Additionally, three other undergraduate students have been awarded $1000 scholarships.

These $1000 recipients are: Meikah Dado of Amery, Wisconsin a Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication double major at University of Wisconsin- Madison, Rachel Coyne of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, who attends the University of Minnesota and is double majoring in Agricultural Communication & Marketing and Animal Science, and Katherine Gathje from Richmond, Minnesota, who attends the University of Minnesota and is majoring in Agricultural Communication & Marketing.

Merton Sowerby Junior Merit Scholarships

The Merton Sowerby Junior Merit Scholarships are designed to encourage qualified undergraduate students to pursue careers in the dairy industry or related occupations. This scholarship is named in honor of National Dairy Hall of Fame Pioneer and Klussendorf recipient Merton Sowerby.

Emily Annexstad of St Peter, Minnesota has been awarded the top scholarship of $1500. Emily is an Animal Science and Agricultural Communications & Marketing double major at the University of Minnesota.

Additionally, five other undergraduate students have been awarded $1000 scholarships.

They are: Shoshana Brody from Baltimore, Maryland a major in Animal Science at Penn State University, Sarah Thomas of Pittsboro, North Carolina who is attending Virginia Tech majoring in Dairy Science, Sanne deBruijn of Vicksburg, Michigan who is attending South Dakota State University double majoring in Dairy Production and Dairy Manufacturing, Madeline Meyer of Ionia, Michigan who is attending Michigan State University and majoring in Animal Science, Lauren Heberling of Carsonville, Michigan who is attending Michigan State University majoring in Agribusiness and Food Industry Management.

Mike Lancaster Sophomore Merit Scholarships

The Mike Lancaster Sophomore Merit Scholarships are designed to encourage qualified undergraduate students to pursue careers in the dairy industry or related occupations. This scholarship is named in honor of Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder and Klussendorf recipient Mike Lancaster.

Summer Henschel of Plymouth, Wisconsin has been awarded the top scholarship of $1500. Summer is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Dairy Science with a Pre-Vet Emphasis.

Additionally, six other sophomore students have been awarded $1000 scholarships.

They are: Kathryn Bosley of Malone, New York, who is majoring in Animal Science at SUNY Cobleskill, Kathryn Gardner of Fayetteville, Arkansas, who is attending the University of Arkansas double majoring in Agricultural Communications and Agribusiness Marketing, Lora Wright of Verona, Missouri, who is an Agribusiness Pre-Law major at Oklahoma State University, Madeline Zutz of Valders, Wisconsin who is a student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Animal Science Pre-Veterinary emphasis, Jessica Mehre of Glenbeulah, Wisconsin, majoring in Dairy Science and Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Lindsey Sarbacker of Edgerton, Wisconsin who is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison double majoring in Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication.

Maurice Core Scholarships

These $1000 scholarships are given in honor of Maurice Core, the long-time Executive Secretary of the American Jersey Cattle Association, and former Executive Director of the National Dairy Shrine. The funds for this award were donated by the friends of Maurice Core. The Core Scholarships are given to freshman status students working toward a degree in dairy/animal science or related majors.

Receiving Maurice Core $1000 Scholarships are Jessica Schmitt of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, who is a student at Iowa State University majoring in Dairy Science & Agricultural Communications. Next is Hayley Fernandes from Tulare, California who is majoring in Dairy Science at Cal Poly, then Lantz Adams of Laton, California who is attending Cal Poly majoring in Dairy Science, next is Marie Haase of Somerset, Wisconsin who is a student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls majoring in Dairy Science. Then Brianna McBride of Severance, Colorado who is attending Iowa State University majoring in Dairy Science and Food Science Industry, next is Sarah Lehner of Delaware, Ohio who is a student at the Ohio State University majoring in Animal Science and Agribusiness Economics. The final recipient is Matthias Annexstad of St Peter, Minnesota, who is majoring in Animal Science at the University of Minnesota. All of these college freshmen have been excellent students and already very active in campus activities.

Iager Scholarship

The Iager Scholarship for $1000 is awarded annually to students in a two year agricultural school pursuing a career in the dairy industry. It is based on academic standing, leadership ability, interest in the dairy industry and plans for the future. This scholarship was started with a generous donation from the Charles and Judy Iager family of Fulton, Maryland.

The recipients this year are; Brock Irwin of Belvidere, Illinois, who is attending Kaskaskia College majoring in Dairy Science and Mary McGehee from Okeechobee, Florida who is attending Kaskaskia College and majoring in Dairy Science.

Marshall McCullough Communication Scholarships

The Marshall E. McCullough Scholarships are given in memory of Marshall McCullough, the well-respected nutrition researcher and educator from Georgia. This scholarship is presented to two high school seniors planning to attend a four-year college or university to major in an agricultural communications field.

Receiving the $2,000 McCullough scholarship is Ashley Hagenow of Poynette, Wisconsin. She plans to use this scholarship as she continues her education at the University of Minnesota, where she will major in Agricultural Communications and Marketing and in Animal Science. Receiving the $1500 McCullough scholarship is Kendra Waldenberger of Spring Grove, Minnesota. She will be majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Communication & Marketing at the University of Minnesota. Both recipients seek a future role in mass communications as Dr McCullough desired.

The annual National Dairy Shrine Scholarship & Awards Banquet will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, on Thursday October 3rd at 5:30 PM. For more information about the students being recognized by National Dairy Shrine or tickets for the Awards Banquet, contact the NDS office at info@dairyshrine.org. Additional information on National Dairy Shrine membership or other activities is also available at www.dairyshrine.org. Dairy enthusiasts are encouraged to become a part of the most important dairy organization helping to inspire future dairy leaders, honor current & past dairy leaders and preserve dairy history.