The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) will award five student scholarships April 22 during the Wisconsin Cheese Industry Conference in Madison, WI. Each of these successful candidates earns $3,000 scholarship awards.The WCMA student scholarship program is supported by the Championship Cheese Auction set for April 22 at the Wisconsin Cheese Industry Conference. Each year, the auction of gold medal cheeses from WCMA's Championship Cheese Contests provides income for a permanent, reserved scholarship fund within Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
The Auction is a highlight of the Chr. Hansen Reception, beginning at 5:00 p.m., April 22, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
WCMA's Mike Dean Scholarship
Last April, the WCMA Board of Directors voted to increase the value of its M Myron P. "Mike" Dean Cheese Industry Scholarships from $2,000 to $3,000. The 2015 recipients are:
Lauren Sipple, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a degree in Food Science. Lauren has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average and is considering graduate studies with an emphasis on dairy foods. Ms. Sipple is a seasonal employee at the Agropur cheese and whey facilities in Luxemburg, WI. Her father, Mike Sipple, is employed with Agropur.
Stephanie Thiel, a senior at Plymouth High School with a 3.8 GPA and accepted at University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Fond du Lac. Stephanie is interested in a career in the food industry and recently completed a youth apprenticeship at Johnsonville Sausage in the microbiology lab. Her parents are Sheila and Steve Thiel and Sheila is Customer Support and Export Services Director for Sargento Foods in Plymouth, WI.
This is the 17th year WCMA has offered scholarships in the name of Myron P. "Mike" Dean. WCMA initiated these scholarships in 1997 and in 1999 named the scholarship in honor of Mike Dean, dairy extension specialist at the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Dean, a WCMA Life Member, trained Wisconsin cheesemakers for over 30 years and led cheese quality efforts at the University of Wisconsin. He passed away March 25, 1999. ?
"We're pleased to offer these scholarships in the name of Mike Dean. This year's students have focused studies on the food industry and both have chosen to work in food and dairy processing plants in their spare' time," said John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
WCMA's Supplier Member Scholarships
WCMA offers three scholarships for supplier members and each were increased to $3,000 this year. The 2015 recipients include:
Joshua Blake, a Clemson University student pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering. Joshua will graduate in 2016 and intends to pursue a career with SEW-Eurodrive, a WCMA member company where Joshua is currently employed in a cooperative education assignment through the University. Joshua's parents are Steve & Robyn Blake of Gaffney, SC.
Christopher Eckerman, halfway to a Food Science degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Christopher is a member of the UW dairy products judging team and is pursuing work at the UW dairy plant. His father, Steve Eckerman, is employed with Chr. Hansen Inc. in Milwaukee, WI.
Joe Skarlupka, attending University of Wisconsin-Madison and working toward a degree in Microbiology. Joe is interning at the Food Research Institute on campus and is also interested in bioinformatics, the study of collected data, such as DNA genome data. His parents are Joe and Kara Skarlupka and Joe works for WCMA member Zepnick Solutions, based in Green Bay, WI.
These students are the thirty-ninth, fortieth and forty-first recipients of the WCMA scholarship for supplier members. "WCMA selected these recipients for their focus on majors and interests that will directly impact the food and dairy industries. We're honored to promote careers among the hundreds of companies that support and advance the dairy industry," John Umhoefer said.
4.9.2015