Scholarships
WCMA's student scholarships are an important part of the Association's investment in the industry's future leaders.
Apply by February 9, 2024 for WCMA's Student Scholarships!
Applications are available now for WCMA's annual student scholarships, totaling $19,000. Applications are due February 9, 2024.
Applicants for all WCMA scholarships must supply school transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a completed application form. Successful applicants will be announced in March 2024, with awards presented on April 17 at CheeseExpo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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. This year's Auction, held at CheeseCon 2023, raised a record $339,835 to support dairy education and future scholarships.
Learn more about available scholarships and download application forms below. Questions may be directed to WCMA Communications Director Grace Atherton at gatherton@wischeesemakers.org.
WCMA Myron P. “Mike” Dean Cheese Industry Student Scholarship
Two students will be awarded the 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.
In 2023, this scholarship was awarded to Lizzette Lopez of Great Lakes Cheese and Tyler Schroepfer of Sartori Company.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION
WCMA Cheese Industry Supplier Student Scholarship
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. In 2023, this scholarship was awarded to Josie Boyle of Chr. Hansen, Rainna Simone of Roehl Transport, and Samantha Hawkey of Kelley Supply.
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WCMA Brian Eggebrecht Student Scholarship
Supporting Skilled Trades in the Dairy Industry
WCMA will also select two students to receive the Brian Eggebrecht Student Scholarship Supporting Skilled Trades in the Dairy Industry, worth $2,000 each. This award - named in honor of long-time 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.
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. In 2023, this scholarship was awarded to Kaitlyn Rydzewski of ProActive Solutions and Nathan Nikolay of Nelson-Jameson.