National Dairy Shrine Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by National Dairy Shrine

Tomorrow’s dairy leaders are already here — in classrooms, on farms, in youth organizations and at competitions. The National Dairy Shrine supports those students by offering a range of scholarships and awards designed to encourage leadership, academic achievement and commitment to the dairy industry.

General eligibility
- All Dairy Shrine scholarships and student awards are for U.S. students attending colleges or universities in the United States and majoring in dairy or other agriculture-related fields (unless an individual award states otherwise).
- Note: The number of awards for many scholarships depends on the quantity and quality of applicants and available funds.

Scholarship and award descriptions

1. Maurice E. Core Freshman Scholarship
- Award: $1,000 (first) and $1,000 (second and greater)
- Who: Freshmen at four-year colleges majoring in dairy/animal industry–related fields who plan to work in the dairy industry.
- Criteria: Leadership, volunteerism, student activities and future plans.
- Funded by: Friends of Maurice E. Core (honoring a long-time Jersey leader and Dairy Shrine supporter).

2. McCullough Freshman Communications Scholarship
- Award: $1,000 (first) and $1,000 (second and greater)
- Who: Freshmen at four-year colleges majoring in Dairy/Animal Science with a communications emphasis or Agricultural Journalism with a Dairy/Animal Science emphasis.
- Criteria: Communication ability, student activities, academics and career plans in dairy journalism/communications.
- Funded by: Bequest from Marshall E. McCullough, Georgia nutrition researcher, educator and journalist.

3. Student Recognition Award for Seniors
- Awards: 1st — $2,000; 2nd — $1,500; 3rd and greater — $1,000
- Who: Graduating seniors at four-year colleges planning a career in the dairy industry or production agriculture.
- Criteria: Leadership, participation in student activities, academic record and demonstrated interest in dairy.
- Nomination: Each university may nominate up to two students.

4. Merton Sowerby Junior Merit Scholarship
- Awards: 1st — $1,500; 2nd and greater — $1,000
- Who: Juniors at four-year colleges planning careers in the dairy industry.
- Typical majors: Dairy Science, Agricultural Economics/Accounting, Dairy Genetics, Equipment, Nutrition, Feed or Pharmaceutical sales, Dairy Consulting, Extension, Research or Academia.
- Criteria: Leadership, activities, academic ability and dairy industry interest.
- Named for: Merton Sowerby, noted Guernsey classifier and Dairy Shrine Pioneer.

5. Dairy Shrine / DMI Milk Marketing & Dairy Products Scholarship
- Awards: 1st — $1,500; 2nd and greater — $1,000
- Who: Juniors at four-year colleges aiming for careers in the dairy industry (majors similar to those listed for the Sowerby scholarship).
- Criteria: Leadership, activities, academics and interest in dairy marketing/production.
- Co-sponsored with: Dairy Management Inc. (DMI).

6. Kildee Graduate School Scholarship
- Awards: Up to 2 awards at $3,000 each
- Who: Students eligible include the top 25 All‑American contestants from the last three National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contests and Platinum winners from the last three National Dairy Challenge Contests. Applicants may apply as juniors or seniors for postgraduate study in a dairy-related field.
- Criteria: National contest participation, academic standing, leadership, student activities, future plans and commitment to dairy.
- History: Established in 1950 in honor of H. H. Kildee, Dean Emeritus at Iowa State University.

7. Mike Lancaster Sophomore Merit Scholarship
- Awards: 1st — $1,500; 2nd and greater — $1,000
- Who: Sophomores at four-year colleges pursuing dairy-related careers.
- Typical majors: Same broad list as for other production-focused scholarships (Dairy Science, Economics/Accounting, Genetics, Nutrition, Sales/Marketing, Extension, Research/Teaching, etc.).
- Criteria: Leadership, activities, academic achievement and interest in dairy.
- Named for: Mike Lancaster, distinguished breeder and Klussendorf honoree.

8. Dairy Shrine / DMI Education & Communication Scholarship
- Awards: 1st — $1,500; 2nd and greater — $1,000
- Who: Sophomores and juniors at four-year colleges interested in education or communication careers in dairy or food industries.
- Typical majors: Education, Social Media & Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Food Science, Human Nutrition, Journalism.
- Criteria: Leadership, relevant experience, academics and career interest in education/communications.
- Co-sponsored with: Dairy Management Inc. (DMI).

9. Iager Scholarship for Two‑Year College Students
- Awards: Up to 2 awards at $1,000 each
- Who: Second-year students at two-year agricultural colleges majoring in Dairy or Animal Science.
- Criteria: Academic standing, leadership, interest in the dairy industry and future plans.
- Funded by: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Iager (Maryland Holstein breeders).

10. Klussendorf / McKown Scholarships
- Awards: Seven scholarships at $1,500 each (three from the Klussendorf’s Chris Kampf fund; four from the McKown Fund)
- Who: Students completing their first, second or third years at two- or four-year colleges in the U.S. or Canada, majoring in Dairy Science, Animal Science, Agri-business or related majors that prepare them for dairy careers.
- Criteria: Activities, experience, interest in showing dairy cattle, and future plans.
- Funded by: Chris Kampf, the McKown family and Klussendorf members and friends.

If you’d like, I can:
- Condense this into a one-page checklist for students applying, or
- Turn each scholarship into an application-ready summary that highlights eligibility and the strongest points to emphasize in a personal statement. Which would be more helpful?