WCMA Awards 2025 Student Scholarships to Emerging Industry Leaders
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today announced the seven winners of its annual scholarship awards supporting emerging dairy industry leaders. These exceptional students have been selected to receive a total of $29,000 in scholarship funds in 2025.
Following a successful Championship Cheese Auction in 2024, the WCMA Board of Directors has guided $200,000 from generous bidders to exciting programs focused on the future. As part of that effort, in December, WCMA’s five student scholarships for dairy processors’ and supplier members’ families were enhanced to $5,000 per student.
“Thanks go to the WCMA Board of Directors for furthering the Association’s investment in our industry’s future, and congratulations to our scholarship winners! These bright, engaged young leaders are poised to make major strides in the dairy industry, and it’s our honor to support their burgeoning careers,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer.
Over 28 years, WCMA has awarded the Myron P. “Mike” Dean Cheese Industry Student Scholarship, now worth $5,000 each, to 50 students affiliated with dairy manufacturers and processors. In 2024, this scholarship will be awarded to Derrick Koehn and Cara McWilliams.
Derrick Koehn is pursuing a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. In his career as a licensed cheesemaker, he is focused on improving processes, reducing waste, and maximizing dairy processing employees’ potential. He has spearheaded efforts to cultivate leadership and development opportunities in his workplace, and is an active volunteer with the Barron County Dairy Promoters and other local organizations. Derrick is currently employed by Foremost Farms USA.
Cara McWilliams will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 2026. She is a student leader in the university’s Dairy Science Club, and has led safety and sustainability projects as an intern at Southwest Cheese. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in a dairy processing plant. Cara is the daughter of Conor McWilliams of Glanbia Nutritionals and Mary McWilliams of Southwest Cheese.
Since 1999, 66 WCMA Supplier Student Scholarships, now worth $5,000 each, have been awarded to suppliers to the dairy industry and their family members. This year’s winners are Macy Cook, Natalie Curtis, and Riese Thornberry.
Macy Cook is pursuing an Agribusiness degree from the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina. After holding a variety of positions on her family’s multigenerational farm, she is now a student leader in business and agricultural activities on campus. After graduating, Macy plans to work as an agricultural financial advisor, helping dairy farmers diversify and strengthen their businesses for future generations. She is the daughter of Lee Cook of Caloris Engineering.
Natalie Curtis is currently studying Food Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a special interest in clean performance nutrition and dairy foods quality and manufacturing. She is a member of the university’s Food Science Club and, upon graduation, hopes to work in research and development in the food industry. She is the daughter of Tom Curtis of Hydrite Chemical.
Riese Thornberry is pursuing a degree in Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. His interest in dairy and food nutrition stems from his participation in high school wrestling, and he holds summer employment at Balanced Personalized Nutrition, a local business providing balanced meals to clients including Marquette University, the Milwaukee Bucks, and student athletes. Upon graduation, Riese hopes to gain experience through summer internships, ultimately working for a food or dairy manufacturer in Wisconsin. He is the son of Leigh Thornberry of BIOIONIX.
Since 2021, WCMA has also selected two students each year 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, who passed away in 2022, is open to students attending any technical school in Wisconsin, or high school students registered to attend a Wisconsin technical school. The 2025 winners of this scholarship are Wesley Nelson and Neil Venhuizen.
Wesley Nelson plans to pursue an Associate’s degree in Agronomy at Southwest Technical College in Wisconsin, beginning in August. After obtaining his degree, Wesley hopes to return to his family’s dairy farm, using his knowledge and skills to improve the farm's efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. His ultimate goal is to ensure the business’ stability for generations to come.
Neil Venhuizen is studying Animal Science at Southwest Technical College, with plans to graduate in 2026. He is the current president of Wisconsin State Professional Agriculture Students, leading fellow students in sharpening their skills and preparing to excel in the workplace. Upon graduation, Neil endeavors to convert his family’s cash crop farm into a diversified dairy operation, selling milk, dairy products, and more on-farm.
The WCMA Student Scholarship Program is funded by the annual Championship Cheese Auction, where gold medal cheeses from WCMA’s Championship Cheese Contests are sold to the highest bidders. The next auction will be held during CheeseCon, scheduled for April 15-17 in Madison, Wisconsin. Advance registration is open now through April 7 at CheeseCon.org.