MADISON, WIS. – The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) announced students with connections to the dairy processing industry can now apply to receive the association’s 2023 student scholarships.

The WCMA’s Myron P. “Mike” Dean Cheese Industry Student Scholarship will be awarded to two students, the Cheese Industry Supplier Student Scholarship will go to three students and the Brian Eggebrecht Student Scholarship Supporting Skilled Trades in the Dairy Industry will be given to two students.

Per the WCMA, any employee or child of an employee at a WCMA dairy manufacturing, processing or marketing member company is eligible to apply for the Dean Scholarship, which is worth $3,000 to each recipient. Similarly, employees or children of employees at WCMA supplier member companies can apply for the Cheese Industry Supplier Student Scholarship, which also is worth $3,000 per student. The WCMA shared that candidates pursuing degrees and careers connected to the dairy industry receive preference.

The Eggebrecht Scholarship, which provides $2,000 to each recipient, is open to students at any technical school in Wisconsin, as well as high school students registered to attend a Wisconsin technical school. Applicants for the scholarship aren’t required to have a WCMA connection and priority consideration is given to students pursuing a career path in the dairy industry.

“WCMA members value the perspectives and enthusiasm the next generation can offer their businesses,” said WCMA executive director John Umhoefer. “We’re pleased to offer this opportunity for great students to pursue their career goals in the dairy industry.”

The seven scholarship recipients will be announced in March 2023, and presented with awards on April 5, 2023, at CheeseCon, in Madison, Wis.

More information on the application process is available online at the WCMA website.