The National Dairy Shrine is pleased to announce the winners of its dairy scholarships for 2017. NDS will provide more than $45,000 of scholarships to students at its annual scholarship and awards banquet on Oct. 5 in Madison. This announcement highlights the scholarship winners so their friends and family can plan ahead to attend the NDS banquet.

Receiving an H.H. Kildee Graduate Studies $3,000 Scholarship is Elizabeth Endres of Waunakee. Endres attended University of Wisconsin-Madison and will be entering the UW School of Veterinary Medicine to become a veterinarian.

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 winner receives a $2,000 award; the second gets a $1,500 award, and the others receive $1,000 awards.

The top award winner is Amber Gabel from Newport, Pa., who majored in animal science at Penn State University. The second award goes to Crystal Siemers-Peterman of Cleveland. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in agricultural and food business management. Other winners from Wisconsin are Elizabeth Endres from Waunakee; Ethan Dado of Amery, who is a double major in animal science and agricultural education at University of Minnesota; and Sydney Endres of Lodi, who was a dairy science and life sciences communication double major at UW-Madison.

The NDS/Dairy Management Inc. Milk Marketing and Dairy Products 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 and food industries.

Trent Dado of Amery was awarded the NDS/DMI Milk Marketing and Dairy Products top scholarship of $1,500. He is an animal science major at the University of Minnesota. Laura Jensen of Comstock, a student at University of Minnesota majoring in animal science, received a $1,000 scholarship.

The NDS/DMI Education and Communication scholarships are made possible by DMI 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, public relations, promotion, social media and communications.

Two $1,000 recipients are Brooke Roberts from Whitelaw, who attends the University of Minnesota and is majoring in agricultural communications and marketing, and Ciera Ballmer from Janesville, who attends UW-Madison and is majoring in dairy science.

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 Scholarship recipient Merton Sowerby. Laura Jensen of Comstock was awarded the top scholarship of $1,500.

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 Scholarship recipient Mike Lancaster. Trent Dado of Amery was awarded the top scholarship of $1,500.

The Maurice Core $1,000 scholarships are given in honor of Maurice Core, the longtime 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 Core. The scholarships are given to freshman-status students working toward a degree in dairy/animal science or related majors.

Receiving Maurice Core scholarships are Bailey Larson from Alma Center, who is majoring in dairy science at UW-Madison, and Carley Krull of Lake Mills, who is majoring in dairy science at Iowa State University.  

The annual National Dairy Shrine scholarship and awards banquet will be held in Madison on Oct. 5 at 5:30 p.m. For more information about the students being recognized by NDS or tickets for the banquet, email the NDS office at [email protected]. Additional information on NDS membership or other activities is also available at dairyshrine.org. Dairy enthusiasts are encouraged to become a part of the organization, helping to inspire future dairy leaders, honor current dairy leaders, preserve dairy history and promote the dairy industry. 

Source: National Dairy Shrine