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The National Dairy Shrine is pleased to announce the recipients of the Mike Lancaster Sophomore Merit Scholarships for 2020. These scholarships are designed to encourage qualified sophomore status undergraduate students to pursue careers in the dairy industry or related occupations. This scholarship is named in honor of National Dairy Hall of Fame Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder and Klussendorf honoree Mike Lancaster.

Nicholas Seitzer of St. Peter, Minnesota has been awarded the top scholarship of $1500. Nicholas is a student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Food & Business Management. Mr. Seitzer has been active in the Gopher Dairy Club, NAMA, and currently serves as the Delta Theta Sigma Chapter President. He has been active in 4-H, FFA and is an Eagle Scout award winner. Nicholas’ plans for the future include possibly attending graduate school or securing a position in production agriculture.


Additionally, three other sophomore students have been awarded $1000 scholarships. They are,


Sarah Lehner of Delaware, Ohio who is a student at the Ohio State University double majoring in Animal Science and Agribusiness & Applied Economics. Sarah is a National Brown Swiss Ambassador, serves as the Buckeye Dairy Club treasurer, and a member of the Crops & Soils Club. In 2019 Sarah was a member of the first-place team at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging contest. With a passion for dairy genetics and business Sarah hopes to have a career with a genetics company as a dairy business analyst or manager


Gaelan Combs of Verona, Wisconsin, who is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Dairy Science. Gaelan has served as Wisconsin FFA State Sentinel, UW-Madison Collegiate 4-H Vice President and an active member of the Badger Dairy Club and Collegiate Farm Bureau. Mr. Combs is very active in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. After working in the Nutrition lab of Dr Heather White, Gaelan plans on attending graduate school to obtain his PhD in dairy nutrition and become a nutrition consultant.


Matthias Annexstad of St Peter, Minnesota who is majoring in Animal Science at the University of Minnesota. Matthias is an active member of the Gopher Dairy Club serving as co-chair of Gopher Dairy Camp, he is Treasurer of NAMA, and currently President of Delta Theta Sigma. He has competed in dairy judging becoming the high individual and member of the high team at the NAILE contest in Louisville, KY. Matthias plans after graduation include obtaining a position in the dairy industry serving dairy producers with the ultimate goal of returning to the home farm to continue this multi-generational operation.

For more information about the students being recognized by National Dairy Shrine or details about a future NDS 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 or past dairy leaders and preserve dairy industry history.