Twenty-two students from Texas A&M received scholarships from the Southwest Meat Association Foundation, totaling more than $47,000. The scholarships were awarded to students at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the meat association’s annual convention in Galveston.
“The Southwest Meat Association Foundation has been a longtime supporter of furthering academic excellence in the meat industry for undergraduate and graduate students,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. “We are very appreciative of their continued support and also extremely pleased with this selection of Texas A&M students as they excel academically and prepare for exciting careers.”
Of the 22 students, thirteen were undergraduates, and eight were graduate students studying animal science, food science and technology, and other areas.
Bob Ondrusek Memorial Scholarship Recipients
The Bob Ondrusek Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of the longtime SMA member, leader, and passionate advocate of young people and education. Recipients are selected based on their qualifications by the Foundation’s board of Trustees.
Scholarship winners included:
- Anna Wyle, Texas Tech
- Sage Boleman, Texas A&M
- Trent Schwartz, Texas A&M
SMIKIDS Ltd. Scholarship
The SMIKIDS Ltd. Scholarship is donated by the family of longtime SMA member Burley Smith of Lone Star Beef Processors in San Angelo, TX. These scholarships are awarded to outstanding meat science students at Smith’s alma mater, Texas A&M University.
SMIKIDS Scholarship Recipients – Funded by the Burley Smith Lone Star Beef family:
- Abigail Tack, Texas A&M
- Kaylee Greiner, Texas A&M
SMA Foundation Scholarship
SMA Foundation Scholarship funds are generated by donations and proceeds from the Foundation’s annual golf tournament.
SMA Foundation Scholarship Recipients:
Undergraduates:
- Victor Rosas, Angelo State
- Emma Anton, Texas A&M
- Hannah Berry, Texas Tech
- Cassity Brown, Texas A&M
- Jennifer Deden, Texas A&M
- Nathan Kerth, Texas A&M
- Bonnie McKinzie, Texas A&M
- Shane Menz, Tarleton State
- Aime Mvuyekure, University of Nebraska
- Abbey Pollok, Texas A&M
- Caroline Sellnow, Auburn
- Dylan Sione, Texas A&M
- Megan Sorenson, Angelo State
- Abigail Tack, Texas A&M
- Reagan Wagner, Texas A&M
- Gage Walsh, Texas A&M
Masters students:
- Katherine Kendrick, Texas A&M
- Kara Belt, West Texas A&M
- Darian Brooks, Ohio State
- Andrew Cano, Tarleton State
- Marcee Cooke, Texas Tech
- Joshua Jones, Angelo State
- Ian Lovell, Texas A&M
- Thachary Mayer, Texas A&M
- Conner McKinzie, Texas Tech
- Taylor Schertz, Texas A&M
- Paige Williams, Texas A&M
- Kirsten Zwally, Texas A&M
SMA Convention Scholarships are funded by fundraising events at the annual convention as well as private donations.
The funds for the Foundation Scholarships, the Supplier Scholarships, and the SMA Convention Scholarships are disseminated to universities within the traditional SMA membership area and are awarded through those universities’ internal procedures following the Foundation’s criteria.
The Southwest Meat Association Foundation was formed in 1987 utilizing donations from its members interested in assisting students pursuing meat industry careers. Last year, the Foundation awarded over $117,000 in scholarships in 2022.
