Applications Now Open for WCMA Student Scholarships

Students connected to the dairy processing industry are invited to apply by February 7, 2023 for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s (WCMA) annual student scholarships. In April, seven scholarships worth a total of $19,000 will be awarded. Applications are available at WisCheeseMakers.org/Scholarships.

“WCMA members value the perspectives and enthusiasm the next generation can offer their businesses,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “We’re pleased to offer this opportunity for great students to pursue their career goals in 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 2022, Bailee Aisenbrey of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and Jamie Feldmann of Sartori Company received this scholarship. 

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. The 2022 recipients of these awards were Jenna Jakel of Loos Machine & Automation, Stephanie Kraemer of IFF (Danisco), and Jack Pluta of Excel Engineering. 

These 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. Preference for both scholarship awards will be given to candidates pursuing degrees and careers connected to the dairy industry.  

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 Championship Cheese Contest Chairman and generous donor Brian Eggebrecht, 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 2022, Bryce Gustafson and Xiapor Lor of Masters Gallery Foods were selected for this scholarship. 

Applicants for all WCMA scholarships must supply school transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a completed application form. Forms are available online at WisCheeseMakers.org or by request from WCMA Business & Membership Manager Sara Schmidt at (608) 286-1001 or sschmidt@wischeesemakers.org.  

Successful applicants will be announced in March 2023, with awards presented on April 5 at CheeseCon in Madison, Wisconsin.