Apply Now for 2025 WCMA Student Scholarships

Apply now at WisCheeseMakers.org/Scholarships to be considered for Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s (WCMA) 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 WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “We’re pleased to provide this opportunity for outstanding students to pursue their professional goals in the dairy industry.” 

Two 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. Preference for these scholarship awards will be given to candidates pursuing degrees and careers connected to the dairy industry:  

• WCMA Myron P. “Mike” Dean Cheese Industry Student Scholarship  

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. 

• WCMA Cheese Industry Supplier Student 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. 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. 

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. 

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/Scholarships or by request from WCMA’s Grace Atherton at (608) 673-5545 or gatherton@wischeesemakers.org.  

Successful applicants will be announced in March 2025, with awards presented on April 16 at CheeseCon in Madison, Wisconsin.