Pork Checkoff Announces the 2019 Pork Industry Scholarship Recipients
DES MOINES, IOWA – April 16, 2019 – The Pork Checkoff has awarded 20 scholarships to college students around the United States as part of its strategy to develop the pork industry’s future human capital. A National Pork Board committee judged the pool of 48 applicants based on scholastic merit, leadership activities, involvement in the pork production industry and the applicants’ plans for a career in pork production.
“The Pork Checkoff is proud to support these young people who are showing a real interest in the pork industry as a career choice,” said Steve Rommereim, president of the National Pork Board and a producer from Alcester, South Dakota. “As our industry continues to evolve, we know we will need more qualified young people to take on the various roles in the pork chain. We must support this effort to help ensure the next generation of talent for our dynamic industry.”
The 20 student recipients hail from 10 states and 11 universities across the U.S. The 2019 Pork Industry Scholarship recipients are:
| Applicant Name | Home Town | Institution | Major |
| McKenna Brinning | Keota, Iowa | Iowa State University | Animal Science |
| Lucas Buehler | Botkins, Ohio | Ohio State University | Animal Science |
| Jenna Chance | Lebanon, Indiana | Kansas State University | Animal Science & Industry |
| Katelyn Gaffield | Sheldon, Illinois | University of Illinois | Animal Science |
| Samuel Gerrard | Riner, Virginia | Iowa State University | Animal Science |
| Katyann Graham | Ames, Iowa | Iowa State University | Animal Science |
| Kathryn Groenenboom | Oskaloosa, Iowa | Iowa State University | Animal Science |
| Wade Hutchens | Ewing, Illinois | Illinois State University | Animal Science & Animal Industry Management |
| Amberly Jergens | Auburn, Iowa | Iowa State University | Animal Science |
| Owen Michael | Sidney, Ohio | Kansas State University | Animal Science |
| Kayla Miller | Webster City, Iowa | Iowa State University | Animal Science |
| Elizabeth Ries | Lomira, Wisconsin | University of Wisconsin – River Falls | Animal Science |
| Mikayla Shanks | McClure, Ohio | Ohio State University | Animal Science |
| Bryan Stallings | Sunbury, North Carolina | North Carolina State University | Animal Science |
| Ethan Stas | Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Penn State University | Animal Science /Science Option |
| Jadelyn Stewart | Vermontville, Michigan | Northwest Missouri State University | Animal Science |
| Ariel Taylor | Medina, Ohio | Ohio State University | Animal Science |
| Jordan Travis | Altoona, Iowa | Iowa State University | Animal Science |
| Madeline Zutz | St. Paul, Minnesota | University of Minnesota | Animal Science |
“Recruiting the next generation of thought leaders and decision makers for the swine industry is critical to making continual improvement in how we raisepigs” said Chris Hostetler, Director of Animal Science for the National Pork Board. “The Pork Industry Scholarship program supports students that have made a commitment to the swine industry to pursue advanced degrees in areas of study directly related to pork production.”
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotionandconsumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or go to at www.pork.org.