The NAMI Scholarship Foundation was founded in 1995 to recognize exceptional undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Animal, Meat, Food Sciences and Culinary Arts. The goal of the Foundation is to collect donations and establish a self-perpetuating endowment that will fund scholarships well into the 21st Century, recognizing that the students of today will be the meat scientists and future leaders of the industry tomorrow.
Scholarships are merit based and presented annually to accomplished students pursuing education that will lead to a career in the meat industry. Many scholarships are named after important industry icons including Frank DeBenedetti, Al Piccetti, John Duyn, Florence Smith Powers, Rosemary Mucklow and a special scholarship for the culinary arts named after Robert Hatoff. Based on merit, the board of directors may also award additional NAMI Scholarships based on qualifications.
The Foundation is overseen by a dedicated group of board members that volunteer their time and efforts. They work in close collaboration with volunteers on the scholarship selection committee.
The Scholarship Foundation is very grateful to the review committee which consists of Bob Delmore (Chair), Colorado State University; Jeff Sindelar, University of Wisconsin; Tricia Harlan, JBT; Phil Bass, University of Idaho; Gary Sullivan, University of Nebraska; Loni Lucherk, West Texas A&M University.
Undergraduate Winners
Barry Carpenter Scholarship: Chesney Effling, Kansas State University
Frank DeBenedetti Scholarship: Anna Wyle, Texas Tech University
Florence Smith Powers Scholarship: Camila Esquivel, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Ron Gustafson Scholarship: Ryan Heitschmidt, West Texas A&M University
NAMI Merit Scholarship
Chloe Calhoun, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Maddy Henson, California State University, Fresno
Meagan McMurray, Texas Tech University
Nathan Kerth, Texas A&M University
Brittley Bowers, Texas A&M University
Elias Perez, Iowa State University
Karina Vestergaard, University of Florida
Natalie Vennell, University of Idaho
Graduate Winners
Rosemary Mucklow Shcolarship: Elizabeth Neal, Texas Tech University
Al Piccetti Scholarship: Samantha Barker, Texas Tech University
John Duyn Scholarship: Logan Johnson, Iowa State University
NAMI Merit Scholarship
Megan Eckhardt, West Texas A&M University
Sebastian Hernandez, Texas Tech University
Bo Garcia, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Edmund Benefo, University of Maryland
Lindsey Decker, Kansas State University
Sydni Borders, South Dakota State University
Madelyn Scott, Oklahoma State University
Paxton Sullivan, Colorado State University
Named Scholarship Recipients:
Barry Carpenter Scholarship: Conner McKinzie, Texas Tech University
Florence Smith Powers Scholarship: Jacob Sterle, Iowa State University
John Duyn Scholarship: Tayor Schertz, Texas Tech University
Ron Gustafson Scholarship: Heather Hunt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Rosemary Mucklow Scholarship: Sarah Bludau, Texas A&M University
Frank DeBenedetti Scholarship: Abbiegail Greer, The Ohio State University
Al Piccetti Scholarship: Rachel Crowley, Iowa State University
General Scholarship:
Katie Lybarger, Kansas State University
Courtney Newman, University of Wyoming
Abby Schiefelbein, Kansas State University
Frank DeBenedetti Scholarship: Katelyn Gaffield, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
John Duyn Scholarship: Kylie Philipps, University of Florida
Florence Smith Powers Scholarship: LeAnna Tanner, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Al Piccetti Scholarship: Abbie Uhlenkott, University of Idaho
Robert Hatoff “Center of the Plate” Scholarship: Westesha Neely, Johnson and Wales University – North Miami
Ron Gustafson Scholarship: Charley Rayfield, Oklahoma State University
Rosemary Mucklow Scholarship: Kory Anderson, University of Wisconsin
General Scholarship:
Emma Mortensen, Texas Tech University
Conrad Schelkopf, Colorado State University
Emmy Bechtold, Oklahoma State University
Macey Randig, Texas A&M University
Frank DeBenedetti Scholarship: Jessie VanBuren, University of Idaho
Florence Smith Powers Scholarship: Madison Comes, Colorado State University
Bobby Hatoff Scholarship: Carson Moreland, Culinary Institute of America
John Duyn Scholarship: Cole Perkins, Texas Tech University
Al Piccetti Scholarship: Jacob Tuell, Purdue University
Rosemary Mucklow Scholarship: Shelby Schiefelbein, Texas A&M University
General Scholarship:
Kirby Bohls, Texas A&M University
Terrell Platt, Colorado State University
Isaac Riley, University of Idaho
Elizabeth Zuber, Iowa State University
Tyler Madison Roberts, Texas A & M University
Awards
The Scholarship Foundation is seeking to recognize the best and brightest undergraduates majoring in Meat or Poultry Science, Animal Science or Culinary Arts and Science. The Foundation wants to provide the financial support to continue their studies and become the future of the meat industry. The Following Scholarships are available. The Scholarship Foundation will award one $10,000 Barry Carpenter Scholarship and numerous $5,000 scholarships.
- Frank DeBenedetti Memorial Scholarship
- Al Piccetti Scholarship
- John Duyn Scholarship
- Florence Smith Powers Scholarship
- Rosemary Mucklow Scholarship
- NAMI Merit Scholarship
- Robert Hatoff “Center of the Plate” Scholarship (Culinary Arts and Sciences only)
- Barry Carpenter Scholarship
To Apply
Applications for all scholarships are processed online and are open to all undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Animal, Meat, Poultry or Food Sciences or enrolled in a Culinary Arts program or interested in a career in the meat industry and enrolled at an accredited university. Applications require department support, and a transcript must be uploaded at the time of application. The deadline for applying is May 31, 2024. Please review the Eligibility and Rules before you begin the application form.
Aplications for 2024-2025 are now closed!
For questions and information contact:
KatieRose McCullough PhD, MPH
NAMI Scholarship Foundation
Phone: (202) 587-4249
E-mail: kmccullough@meatinstitute.org
Mail: NAMI Scholarship Foundation, 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036.
To Donate
The NAMI Scholarship Foundation provides financial support to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Animal/Meat/Food Sciences or the Culinary Arts. The rising cost of college tuition makes these scholarships necessary. The NAMI Scholarship Foundation has a 501(c) (3) Tax Exempt Status. Your donation is fully tax deductible.
For over 60 years, Carlton Farms has supported local, regional and national organizations to promote the growth and interest of the meat industry. John Duyn believed in the importance of education and opportunity. We are proud to recognize and reward his beliefs through the Meat Institute Scholarship Fund.
Frank DeBenedetti was a leader that participated in the transformation of the meat industry, and was a founding member of the Western States Meat Packers Association. The DeBenedetti family is honored to support young and interested exceptional professionals, while simultaneously keeping our grandfather’s name alive.
Birko has supported the protein industry for over 65 years. Birko is honored to continue this support to The Meat Institute Scholarship Foundation and future leaders of the industry to ensure our next generation receive best in class technology and opportunities for higher education around food science.
You can download our 5 Year Pledge Form (pdf) or click here to access our online pledge form.
For questions and information contact:
KatieRose McCullough
NAMI Scholarship Foundation
Phone: (202) 587-4249
E-mail: kmccullough@meatinstitute.org
Mail: NAMI Scholarship Foundation, 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036.