Two Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) scholarships target students attending a college, university, or technical school in the United States, or high school seniors registered to attend a qualifying school next fall. Apply now with this link to be considered for WCMA's seven student scholarships, worth a total of $19,000. Applications must be received by February 14, 2025.
“WCMA members value the perspectives and enthusiasm the next generation offers,” said John Umhoefer, Executive Director. “We’re pleased to provide this opportunity for outstanding students to pursue their professional goals in the dairy industry.”
Preference for these scholarship awards will be given to candidates pursuing degrees and careers connected to the dairy industry.
Two students will be awarded the WCMA Myron P. “Mike” Dean Cheese Industry Student Scholarship, worth $3,000 each. Any employee or child of an employee at a WCMA dairy manufacturing, processing, or marketing member company may apply. In 2024, this scholarship was awarded to Gabrielle Renard of Renard’s Cheese and MaKenzie Skibbie of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and Wisconsin Aging & Grading Cheese.
Employees or children of employees at WCMA supplier member companies may apply for the WCMA Cheese Industry Supplier Student Scholarship. Three students will receive scholarship awards of $3,000 each. In 2024, this scholarship was awarded to Jacob Kirsling of R.W. Baron Process Equipment, Danielle Mauhar of Novonesis, and Elijah Ronsman of HART Design & Manufacturing.
A press release added that WCMA will also select two students to receive the Brian Eggebrecht Student Scholarship Supporting Skilled Trades in the Dairy Industry, worth $2,000 each. This award, named in honor of long-time Championship Cheese Contest Chairman and generous donor Brian Eggebrecht, who passed away last year, is open to students attending any technical school in Wisconsin, or high school students registered to attend a Wisconsin technical school.
Priority consideration for the Eggebrecht Scholarship will be given to applicants pursuing technical certificates, technical diplomas, or associate degrees that may lead to a career in the dairy industry. Unlike other WCMA scholarships, applicants for this award are not required to be connected to a WCMA member company or cooperative. In 2024, this scholarship was awarded to Kendall Luzinski of Dutch Dairy and Aaron Schulz of Sargento Foods.
Hats off to all those students applying for these exciting opportunities!
To keep reading more about these industry initiatives, turn back to Deli Market News.
