Scholarship Opportunities

The Wisconsin Pork Association is offering scholarships to high school seniors and college students. Students with a sincere interest in the swine industry are encouraged to apply.

Wisconsin Pork Association Scholarship
The Wisconsin Pork Association scholarship is open to high school seniors pursuing post high school education in agriculture. Preference will be given to those students possessing leadership abilities and a sincere interest in the swine industry. Five finalists will be selected from the applications received to compete for the $500 scholarship, with each finalist receiving $250 for their participation. An interviewing committee will select finalists. The application for this scholarship can be found at: http://www.wppa.org/wisconsin-pork-association-scholarship/

Whitmore Memorial Scholarship
The Whitmore Memorial Scholarship was established as a legacy to the late Rex Whitmore, a master statesman and communicator who served as the first executive director of the Wisconsin Pork Producers Association.

Applicants must be a registered junior or senior at one of the following University of Wisconsin campuses: Madison, Platteville, or River Falls. This is a $500 scholarship, and priority will be given to applicants pursuing an Animal Science or closely related major, with each finalist receiving $250 for their participation.

The criteria considerations include grade point average (applicant should be in top one-third of class), extracurricular activities involvement and leadership positions, career interest and orientation, and financial need. The application for this scholarship is available from each respective campus’ contact person listed on the WPA website or at: .http://ecalsforstudents.cals.wisc.edu/files/2012/10/whitmore_application.pdf

Gunderson Memorial Scholarship
The Wisconsin Pork Association, in cooperation with the family of Buell Gunderson, has established a scholarship program to recognize the many contributions that Gunderson made to the Wisconsin pork industry. Gunderson, together with his wife, Bernice, served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Wisconsin Pork Association for 20 plus years and assisted in growing the organization from its initial roots to the successful organization that it is today–sponsoring scholarships, developing youth programs and helping to support the pork producers of the state.

The Wisconsin Pork Association will accept recommendations or applications from county pork producer organizations, industry members, pork producers, and colleges or technical schools for recipients of the Gunderson Memorial Scholarship on an annual basis. Individuals who have shown considerable dedication and involvement in the pork industry will be considered for the $500 scholarship.

Application Deadlines
Individuals wishing to receive a copy of the scholarship applications can contact Wisconsin Pork Association at 608-723-7551 or via e-mail at mmasters@wppa.org. Applications can also be downloaded at www.wppa.org.  The application deadline is December 4, 2015.

The Wisconsin Pork Association’s mission is to insure the future success of the Wisconsin pork industry. WPA represents the interests of the pork industry members with a strong emphasis on social issues, public and government policies, environment, animal welfare and safety.