Through a multitude of member scholarship funds and generous support from industry partners, the National Dairy Shrine (NDS) awards a total of $85,000 to students pursuing a dairy-related degree and future career. This is the highest total value of scholarships awarded by the National Dairy Shrine, thanks to new scholarship opportunities and a significant increase to the values of scholarships awarded.
Whether they are working towards under-graduate, graduate, veterinary or technical degrees, these students will go on to become our industry’s producers, communicators, scientists and leaders. They truly represent the next generation of dairy excellence.
Dr. Les Hansen Student Recognition Scholarships
This award recognizes seven graduating seniors this year. These students have demonstrated leadership skills, academic ability and interest in dairy cattle, like that of retired Dr. Les Hansen, Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota. Hansen earned accolades for his ground-breaking research in dairy genetics and ability to inspire excellence among both graduate and undergraduate students.
$2,500 Student recognition winner
- Lauren Breunig, Sauk City, Wisconsin – Life sciences communication (certificates in food systems, agricultural business management, digital studies, and entrepreneurship), University of Wisconsin-Madison
$1,500 Student recognition winners
- Brady Gille, Sobieski, Wisconsin – Animal science, production emphasis, University of Minnesota
Kildee Scholarship
The Kildee Scholarship is a $3,000 scholarship that recognizes a graduate student studying a dairy related field. This year, two students are receiving this award, created in honor of H.H. Kildee, Dean Emeritus at Iowa State University.
- Ben Styer, Menomonie, Wisconsin – Animal science (Dairy production emphasis), University of Minnesota
Maurice Core Scholarships
The Maurice Core Scholarships honor first-year college students majoring in dairy or animal science, or an industry-related field. The award is named for Maurice Core, longtime Executive Secretary of the American Jersey Cattle Association and past Executive Director of the Dairy Shrine. Funds for these $1,500 scholarships are donated by friends of Maurice Core.
- Campbell Booth, Plymouth, Wisconsin – Animal science, agriculture and food business, University of Minnesota
- Alaina Dinderman, Orangeville, Illinois – Animal science – pre-vet, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
- Logan Harbaugh, Marion, Wisconsin – Animal science and agricultural and food business management, University of Minnesota
- Kiara Konyn, Escondido, California – Dairy and food animal management – pre-vet, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Ella Raatz, Colby, Wisconsin – Animal science and agricultural communication and marketing, University of Minnesota
- Alexis Schultz, Marion, New York – Dairy and food animal management, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Marshall McCullough Communications Scholarships
Named in memory of Dr. McCullough, a dairy nutrition researcher, educator and journalist, these scholarships support freshmen interested in dairy communications with a $1,500 scholarship.
- Madison Wiese, Greenleaf, Wisconsin – Animal science and agricultural communications and marketing, University of Minnesota
Merton Sowerby Junior Merit Scholarships
These scholarships are given in honor of Merton Sowerby, an NDS Pioneer and former Klussendorf winner from Michigan. They recognize six junior level undergraduate students at a four-year college or university who are planning a career in the dairy industry.
$2,000 Sowerby scholarship winner
- Brianna Meyer, Chilton, Wisconsin – Dairy science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
$1,500 Sowerby scholarship winners
- Joseph Achen, Mondovi, Wisconsin – Agricultural business, Iowa State University
- Jacob Harbaugh, Marion, Wisconsin – Animal science, applied economics, University of Minnesota
- Garrett Ulness, Valders, Wisconsin – Dairy science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Mike Lancaster Sophomore Merit Scholarships
The Mike Lancaster Scholarship is named in honor of former NDS Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder and Klussendorf winner, Mike Lancaster of Washington. It recognizes undergraduate sophomores at a four-year college or university and encourages their pursuit of a career in the dairy industry.
$1,500 Lancaster scholarship winners
- Summer Hammann, Barron, Wisconsin – Dairy science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The National Dairy Shrine has initiated two new scholarships beginning in 2026. The scholarships and their recipients are listed below.
Richard H.L. Chichester Scholarship
Awarded in honor of renowned dairy cattle geneticist and goodwill ambassador for the U.S. dairy and beef industries Richard H.L. Chichester, one student is recognized for an explicit interest in the dairy industry with a $1,500 scholarship.
- Jenna Gries, Manitowoc, Wisconsin – Dairy science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
All scholarship recipients will be recognized during the National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet on Monday, September 298h, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin, held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo.
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