Farm Progress

The WPA Scholarship, Whitmore Memorial Scholarship and Gunderson Memorial Scholarship were presented.

February 17, 2017

3 Min Read
PORK SCHOLARS: Nine high school seniors and college students were awarded a total of $3,000 in scholarships at the Wisconsin Pork Association annual meeting on Feb. 2 in Wisconsin Dells.

The Wisconsin Pork Association recognized scholarship recipients during its annual meeting held Feb. 2 in conjunction with the Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo in Wisconsin Dells. Nine high school seniors and college students were awarded a total of $3,000 in scholarships.

WPA Scholarship
The WPA Scholarship is presented each year to high school seniors pursuing further education with an interest in agriculture. Five finalists were selected from the applications received.

The 2017 recipient of the $500 WPA Scholarship is Austin Lynd, son of Darren and Laura Lynd, Janesville. Austin grew up raising show pigs on his family’s farm and has always been involved in the daily care of the animals. He is a member of several pork industry organizations and has demonstrated leadership through 4-H and FFA and in the show ring. In the future, Austin hopes to one day take over his family’s show pig farm.

The other finalists were also recognized and awarded $250 scholarships:

• Jorydn Delzer, daughter of Jerry and Kim Delzer, Argyle
• Lillian Feider, daughter of Timothy and Angela Feider, New Holstein
• Morgan Fitzsimmons, daughter of Scott and Emily Fitzsimmons, Mineral Point
• Shelby Veum, daughter of Kenny and Cindy Veum, Stoughton

Whitmore Memorial Scholarship
The Whitmore Memorial Scholarship was established as a legacy to the late Rex Whitmore, a master statesman and communicator who served as the first executive director of the Wisconsin Pork Association. Applicants for this scholarship must be a junior or senior at University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Platteville or UW-River Falls. Each university selects a candidate to represent it in the selection of this scholarship.

The $500 scholarship was awarded to Katelyn Zeamer, a senior at UW-River Falls majoring in animal science with an emphasis on meat animal management. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a swine nutritionist.

In addition, finalists Stephanie Van Asten, a junior majoring in animal science at UW-Platteville, and Dakota Walker, a UW-Madison senior majoring in animal sciences and life sciences communications, were each awarded a $250 scholarship.

Gunderson Memorial Scholarship
The Wisconsin Pork Association, in cooperation with the family of Buell Gunderson, established a scholarship program in 2007 to recognize the many contributions Gunderson made to the Wisconsin pork industry. Gunderson, with his wife, Bernice, served as secretary/treasurer of the WPA for 20-plus years and assisted in growing the organization from its initial roots to the successful organization it is today, sponsoring scholarships, developing youth programs and helping support the pork producers of the state.

Individuals who have shown considerable dedication and involvement to the pork industry are eligible for this scholarship. Consideration is given to youths who have established their own production herd, been involved on their family operation, or shown specific interest in pork production or livestock judging.

Ben Veum, Stoughton, is the 2017 Gunderson Memorial Scholarship recipient. He has grown up helping raise show pigs on his family’s farm and has held leadership roles in several industry organizations. Veum is a junior studying animal science at Iowa State University with an emphasis in swine and nutrition. After completing his degree, he plans to pursue a career in swine genetics or nutrition. He also hopes to have his own seedstock operation one day.

Source: WPA

 

 

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