The Association of Women in Agriculture Benefit Corporation (AWABC) awarded 17 scholarships totaling $18,750 to Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA) members during the organization’s annual AWA Day program on April 18. Scholarships were awarded from the AWA Endowment Fund, Demeter, the Larry Satter Memorial Fund, Grateful Badgers, the Nicole Bangart Memorial Fund and the Kelsey Jo Olson Memorial Travel Scholarship.
Scholarship Recipients
One of the original scholarships offered through the AWA organization is in honor of Delma Donald Woodburn. Delma Woodburn was a strong supporter of women pursuing careers in agriculture and provided encouragement and financial support to AWA during its formative years. This year’s recipient of the $1,000 Delma Woodburn Memorial Scholarship is Bailey Botterman, a junior from Genoa, Ill. majoring in Legal Studies.
The $1,500 Dr. David Dickson Scholarship was presented to Kelsey Hardy, a junior from Dodgeville, Wis. studying Dairy Science. Dr. David Dickson was a dairy science professor, longtime coach of the UW-Madison Dairy Judging Team and mentor to countless students. Furthermore, he was also a dedicated supporter of AWA.
Cynthia Benevenga was an active member of the Madison community, a champion of women’s equality and scholarship, and a longtime supporter of AWA. The recipient of the $1,500 Cynthia Benevenga Memorial Scholarship is Brianna Meyer, a junior from Chilton, majoring in Dairy Science.
Awarded to AWA student members who demonstrate a strong dedication to AWA activities and values, the AWA Active Member Scholarship was presented to Sydney Schott, a junior from Bruce, Wis., majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Josephine Ammons, a junior from Wellesley, Mass., majoring in Agricultural Business Management. Each received a $1,000 scholarship.
Scholarship Recipients Continued
Four AWA House Resident Scholarships, which recognize student members who contribute to a positive AWA house community, were awarded this year. Recipients of $1,000 scholarships included Haylie Habeck, a sophomore from Cascade, majoring in Animal and Veterinary Biosciences; Sydney Held, a sophomore from Oshkosh, majoring in Biology; Madison Kwak, a sophomore from Ridgeland, majoring in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; and Mariah Miller, a junior from DeForest, majoring in Genetics and Genomics.
Demeter, a nonprofit organization that supports students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences while promoting fellowship and professional development, awarded three scholarships this year. Chloe Breunig is a sophomore from Sheboygan Falls. She is majoring in Dairy Science. Natalie Hensen, a junior from Waunakee, majoring in Agronomy and Animal and Veterinary Biosciences, each received $1,500 scholarships. Jenna Kudrna, a junior from Janesville, majoring in Life Sciences Communication, received a $1,000 scholarship.
First awarded in 2018, the Grateful Badgers Scholarship alternates between AWA and Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR). Made possible through the generosity of AWA/AGR alumni Krista Knigge and Corey Geiger, the scholarship recognizes outstanding involvement and achievement. This year’s recipient of the $1,000 Grateful Badgers Scholarship was Bailey Botterman.
Scholarship Recipients Continued
Two scholarships were awarded through the Dr. Larry Satter Memorial Endowment Fund at the UW Foundation. Maya Wiltzius, a junior from Fond du Lac, majoring in Animal and Veterinary Biosciences and Life Sciences Communication, received a $1,500 scholarship. Olivia Uttech, a sophomore from Oconomowoc, majoring in Dairy Science, received a $1,000 scholarship. Dr. Satter is an internationally recognized dairy nutrition scientist. He was an early advocate for AWA and played an important role in helping the organization establish its house.
Established in 2015 through the generosity of the Bangart family, Brady Kees and AWA, the Nicole Bangart Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of the AWA and UW-Madison alumna. Summer Hammann, a sophomore from Barron, majoring in Dairy Science, received this year’s $1,000 scholarship.
The Kelsey Jo Olson Memorial Travel Scholarship honors the memory of AWA member and UW-Madison graduate Kelsey Jo Olson by helping offset travel expenses for an AWA member competing in the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) National Marketing Competition. This year’s $250 scholarship was awarded to Cate Cherney, a junior from La Valle, Wis., majoring in Marketing and Management.
AWABC extends its sincere appreciation to the generous donors whose support makes these scholarships possible.
