Twelve undergraduate students were recently recognized with Student Leader Scholarships, an award intended to encourage and empower the next generation of dairy producers.
Supported by the Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, and Tröegs Independent Brewing for the 2023-24 academic year, each scholarship recipient will receive $3,000 to support their undergraduate studies in educational programs that support the dairy industry.
“This is a competitive scholarship program, and these 12 scholarship recipients are highly deserving due to their strong foundation in the dairy industry and their commitment to future careers that help advance Pennsylvania dairy,” said Michelle Shearer, Workforce Development Manager at the Dairy Excellence Foundation. “From interests in agricultural engineering and food science to dairy herd management and nutrition, the passion these students have for their education and agriculture as a whole is inspiring.”
The Student Leader Scholarship program was designed to provide recognition, encouragement, and financial assistance to outstanding students enrolled in dairy-related academic programs — including dairy and animal science, agricultural marketing and business, nutrition, food science, agriculture, and extension education, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, or related fields.
“We continue to support this scholarship program each year because we are committed to helping college students who are passionate about the dairy industry have the financial support they need to find meaningful careers,” said Dave Smith, Executive Director at the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. “It’s important to keep the Pennsylvania dairy industry vibrant and growing, and investing in our next generation and these 12 dairy leaders is a great way to do that.”
To qualify for the scholarship, students must be enrolled in a dairy-related undergraduate major and demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a future career in dairy. One scholarship is specifically designated for an incoming freshman.
“We use a lot of Pennsylvania grain, honey, and produce in our beers and at our Snack Bar here at Tröegs,” says founding brother Chris Trogner. “And our cheese collaborations with Caputo Brothers Creamery use 100 percent Pennsylvania cow’s milk, so our connection to Pennsylvania agriculture already runs deep. These scholarships are a great way to amplify that connection and support the future of the industry.”
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients
- Kelly Bliss, a freshman studying biological engineering at Cornell University.
- Lynneah Brad, a senior studying animal science at The Pennsylvania State University.
- Andrea Clark, a freshman studying veterinary technology at the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center.
- Katerina Coffman, a junior studying animal science at The Pennsylvania State University.
- Alex Empet, a freshman studying dairy production and management at SUNY Cobleskill.
- Darcy Heltzel, a freshman studying food science at Iowa State University.
- Madelynn Hoffman, a sophomore studying animal science at Cornell University.
- Kendal Jenkins, a junior studying animal science at The Pennsylvania State University.
- Katheryn Longenecker, a sophomore studying animal science at The Pennsylvania State University.
- Vannika Rice, a senior studying animal science at Cornell University.
- Charles Sebright, a junior studying agricultural engineering at Purdue University.
- Katelyn Taylor, a senior studying agricultural science at The Pennsylvania State University.
