Student Leader Scholarship

Thanks to a partnership between the Dairy Excellence Foundation, Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and Troegs Independent Brewing to support the next generation of dairy, there were twelve $3,000 Student Leader Scholarships awarded to undergraduate students for the 2024-25 academic year. 

The next scholarship application period opens on March 1, 2025.  

The purpose of these scholarships is to provide recognition, encouragement, and financial assistance to outstanding students enrolled in academic programs that support the dairy industry. Of these monetary awards, one is specifically designated for an incoming freshman.

To qualify, students must:

  • Be a Pennsylvania resident,
  • Demonstrate a commitment to working in the dairy industry in the future, and
  • Be a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in a related field of study or 
  • Be a high school senior planning to enroll in a related field of study

Note: Related field of study includes Dairy and Animal Science, Ag Marketing and Business, Nutrition, Food Science, Ag and Extension Education, Ag Business Management, Ag Engineering or related fields.

Questions? Contact Michelle Shearer, Workforce Development Manager, at 570-768-8316 or mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org.


Congratulations to the 2024 Student Leader Scholarship recipients! Click here to learn more about each student.


About the Dairy Excellence Foundation

The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax deductible organization that is Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) approved. Established in 2010, the foundation’s mission is to build and invest in programs that cultivate and empower the next generation of producers, consumers, and advocates for the Pennsylvania dairy industry. Learn more at centerfordairyexcellence.org/our-foundation/.

About the PA Dairymen’s Association

The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association is the oldest dairy group in Pennsylvania. The Dairymen’s Milkshake is the top-selling food item at the Food Court. The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association has been supporting “Fill a Glass with Hope®” with agriculture partners, Feeding PA, American Dairy Association North East, corporate partners and food banks since 2015. Over the past three years, the PA Dairymen have donated more than $1.4 million to programs including The Calving Corner; agricultural and educational projects; initiatives and scholarships; the Fill A Glass with Hope® fresh milk campaign for neighbors in need; the Choose PA Dairy consumer education and awareness campaign; the PA Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Education Lab that travels to schools; and the PA Dairy Princess and Promotion Program. Their philanthropic efforts build a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians. For more information, visit www.padairymens.com.

About Tröegs Independent Brewing

Founded in Pennsylvania in 1997 by brothers John and Chris Trogner, Tröegs Independent Brewing is driven by a sense of adventure and curiosity. From the beginning, the brewery has been built by family, friends and kindred spirits who share a love of great beer.

Tröegs is widely known for award-winning beers like Perpetual IPA, Troegenator, Nugget Nectar and Mad Elf, as well as its experimental Scratch Series. Tröegs started working in earnest with local ingredients back in 2002 with the debut of holiday favorite Mad Elf. Today, the brewery buys about 25,000 pounds of local honey and 250,000 pounds of Pennsylvania-grown barley every year. Tröegs also works with a local creamery to create beer cheeses made with 100% Pennsylvania cow’s milk.

“We’re drawn to people with a sense of adventure,” says co-founder John Trogner. “And we think they’re drawn to Tröegs.”