WCMA Opens Applications for Student Scholarships Totaling $19,000

Apply now through February 16, 2022 for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s (WCMA) annual student scholarships. In April, seven scholarships worth a total of $19,000 will be awarded.

“Our members recognize the immense potential and high value that successful students bring to the table,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “We’re proud to support outstanding young people as we look to the next generation 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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

Successful applicants will be announced in March 2022, with awards presented on April 13 at CheeseExpo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.