Wisconsin Holstein Association

Wisconsin Holstein Memorial Scholarships

The following named scholarships are awarded at the annual Junior Holstein Convention through the Wisconsin Holstein Foundation, Inc.

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Presidents' Scholarship:

The Presidents' Scholarship was established in 2020 with funds donated by friends and family of past Wisconsin Holstein Association Presidents. The scholarship honors past leaders of the Wisconsin Holstein Association and will be given to the top applicant each year.

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Maurice and Geraldine Cooper Memorial Scholarship:

The Maurice and Geraldine Cooper Scholarship was established in honor of Maurice and Geraldine Cooper, lifelong Holstein breeders from Moss Oak Farm, DeForest, Wis., by their family and friends. The couple were active members, supporters and leaders of 4-H and all levels of the Holstein Association. Maurice was a director of the Wisconsin Holstein Association; a director, president and secretary of the Dane County Holstein Association; a delegate to the National Holstein Convention multiple times; and served on many industry Boards including DHI and World Dairy Expo. The Wisconsin Holstein Association recognized Maurice and Gerry with the Distinguished Holstein Breeder Award in 1994 and Maurice with the Distinguished Service Award in 2004. Love of family, Holsteins, service to the community, and support of youth activities were paramount in their lives. This award is given to a student enrolled in a four-year university.

 

Marlowe Nelson Memorial Scholarship:

The scholarship is given in honor of Marlowe whose passion was to teach and mentor young enthusiastic breeders to become more involved in the Registered Holstein business. Throughout his lifetime, Marlowe paved the way in many aspects of the Registered Holstein breed and its impact on the United States, Japan, Germany and Holland dairy industries. This award is given to a student enrolled at a 4-year university or technical college, two-year or short course agriculture program on a rotating basis.

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Doris Morris Memorial Scholarship:

Doris and her husband Arden, along with Arden’s brother Maldwyn and his wife, Inez, owned and operated Arwyn Farms in Waukesha County for over 40 years. This scholarship is in honor of Doris who was longtime Wisconsin Holstein member from Waukesha County and is the mother of Tom Morris, whose family and friends graciously fund the award. This award is given to a student enrolled in a four year university.

 

Bradley Fust Memorial Scholarship: 

The Bradley Fust scholarship is given in memory of Brad who was tragically killed in an auto accident. Brad was an enthusiastic member of the Junior Holstein Association from Wausau, Wis., and this scholarship was established by Brad's parents, Brian and Wendy Fust, with the sale of one of Brad's heifers. This award is given to a student enrolled in a four year university.

 

Gordon Berg Memorial Scholarship: 

Gordon was a long-time Wisconsin Holstein member and breeder from Brownsville, Wis. Gordon’s sister, Vivian Minor, started the Gordon Berg Scholarship. She made up the “VI” in the famed VIGO herd prefix with her brother, Gordon, making up the “GO.” We hope this award has special meaning to you since Gordon was a well-respected breeder who bred outstanding registered Holsteins in the Dodge County area his entire life. Gordon was a great cowman. This scholarship is given to a student enrolled in a technical college, two-year, or short course agriculture program.

 

John Klossner Memorial Scholarship: 

The John Klossner Memorial Scholarship was established for John - a young man who touched many lives during his short Junior Holstein career. The scholarship is given in memory of John who tragically passed away in an accident while exhibiting at one of his favorite events - the Wisconsin Junior State Fair. John was active in the Green County Junior Holstein Association and served on the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Junior Activities Committee. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was an active member of the Badger Dairy Club and AGR at UW. He was also an accomplished cattle showman and had won many awards. This scholarship was established by John’s parents Richard and Roxanne Klossner and is given to a student furthering their education at a four year university. 

 

John Selz Memorial Scholarship: 

The John Selz Memorial Scholarship fund was established in honor of John Selz of Humbird, Wisc. He managed his family’s farm, Selz Farm, which was in his family for over 125 years. John was actively involved in the Wisconsin and National Holstein Associations in various capacities for numerous years. Through his life, John served as a strong advocate for progressive dairying and the Holstein industry. Specifically, he served as President of both the National Holstein Association and Wisconsin Holstein Association and was the first chairman of the Wisconsin Holstein Jr. Activities Committee. He was a long-time advocate of developing Wisconsin's Holstein youth. He also served on the World Dairy Expo Board of Directors, Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Board, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, the U.S. Animal Health Association Board and the University of Wisconsin Board of Visitors. His incredible insight and leadership earned him many prestigious honors including the WI Holstein Distinguished Breeder Award, World Dairy Expo Dairyman of the Year, WI Agriculturalist Award the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences Award of Distinction, and the UW-River Falls Top Agriculturalist Award.

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Annette Ostrom Memorial Scholarship

The Annette Ostrom Memorial Scholarship celebrates the life and legacy of a friend, a philanthropist, a coach and a leader within the Holstein Association. Annette Ostrom of De Pere, Wis., was the picture of grace and beauty as she paraded Holsteins across the shavings with her Milk Source family. Yet, her greatest impacts were in the way she connected with each individual who crossed her path. As an advisor and dairy quiz bowl coach in Brown County, Annette was a cheerleader for youth, going out of her way to give back and with a warm smile and an ear ready to listen to young members talk about the cows they too loved. With her husband, Jim Ostrom, the couple co-founded Dairy Cares, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $2 million for Children’s Wisconsin (formerly Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin) over the past decade.  She also was well loved by the dairy community she served through her career as an animal health professional. However, awards and recognition were not Annette’s ambition. Her greatest commitment was to her family and her children: Carlie, Mac, Shelby and Tristen.

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2026 Scholarship Winners

The Wisconsin Holstein Foundation is honored to award scholarships to 11 deserving youth members. These scholarships are awarded to members who are or will be attending two- or four-year universities, with preference given to those pursuing undergraduate degrees in an agriculture-related field. Awards will be presented at the 2027 Wisconsin Holstein Association Junior Convention.

 

Dylan Ryan of Lomira received the $2,000 Wisconsin Holstein Association Presidents’ Scholarship. This scholarship, which honors past leaders of the Wisconsin Holstein Association, is given to the top applicant each year. Dylan is the son of Chad and Amy Ryan and is a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a double major in animal science and plant science.

 

Receiving the $2,000 John Klossner Memorial Scholarship was Alison Gartman of Plymouth. This scholarship was established for John - a young man who touched many lives during his short Junior Holstein career and who passed away in an accident while exhibiting at one of his favorite events - the Wisconsin Junior State Fair. John was active with the Green County juniors and served as a JAC. He attended UW-Madison and was a member of Badger Dairy Club and AGR. This scholarship was established by John’s parents, Richard and Roxanne Klossner, and given to a student who is considered a role model to other junior members. Alison is the daughter of Luke and Liz Gartman. She is a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, majoring in animal science with a dairy emphasis.

 

Matthew Winch, Fennimore, is the recipient of the $2,000 Maurice and Geraldine Cooper Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in memory of Maurice and Geraldine Cooper, lifelong Holstein breeders from Moss Oak Farm. Maurice was a director of the Wisconsin Holstein Association; a director, president, and secretary of the Dane County Holstein Association; a delegate to the National Holstein Convention; and served on many industry boards including DHI and World Dairy Expo. Love of family, Holsteins, service to the community and support of youth activities were paramount in Maurice and Geraldine’s lives. Matthew, the son of Peter and Christina Winch, attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison with future hopes to become a veterinarian.

 

Wyatt Dorshorst of Marshfield received the $1,500 Bradley Fust Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in memory of Brad, who was an enthusiastic member of the Junior Holstein Association from Wausau. The scholarship was established by Brad’s parents, Brian and Wendy Fust, with the sale of one of Brad’s heifers. Wyatt is the son of Matt and Molly Dorshorst. He attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is majoring in biological systems engineering.

 

Marissa Spoke of Waterloo received the $1,500 Annette Ostrom Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship celebrates the life and legacy of Annette Ostrom, a friend, philanthropist, coach and leader within the Holstein Association. As an advisor and dairy bowl coach in Brown County, Annette was a cheerleader for youth, going out of her way to give back with a warm smile and an ear ready to listen to young members talk about the cows they loved. With her husband, Jim, the couple co-founded Dairy Cares, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $2 million for Children’s Wisconsin over the past decade. Marissa is the daughter of Jeffrey and Jennifer Spoke. She is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying dairy and food animal management.

 

Brianne Vandoske, Cleveland, is the recipient of the $1,500 Doris Morris Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in honor of Doris, who was a long-time Wisconsin Holstein member. Doris and her husband Arden, and Arden’s brother, Maldwyn, and his wife, Inez, owned and operated Arwyn Farms in Waukesha County for over 40 years. Brianne is the daughter of Bob and Tara Vandoske. As a freshman at Bellin College, she plans to use her bachelor’s degree in nursing to work in a hospital setting.

 

Darby Trent of Amery is the recipient of the $1,500 Marlowe Nelson Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in memory of Marlowe, whose passion was to teach and mentor young enthusiastic breeders to become more involved in the Registered Holstein business. Through his lifetime, Marlowe paved the way in many aspects of the Registered Holstein breed and its impact on the United States, Japan, Germany and Holland. Darby, the daughter of Shannon Leisch, is a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities majoring in animal science with a pre-vet emphasis and a minor in agricultural business.

 

The recipient of a $1,500 John Selz Memorial Scholarship is Callie Behling of Athens. This scholarship fund was established in honor of John Selz of Humbird. He managed his family’s farm, Selz Farm, which was in his family for over 125 years. John was actively involved in the Wisconsin and National Holstein Associations in various capacities for numerous years. Through his life, John served as a strong advocate for progressive dairying and the Holstein industry. Callie is the daughter of Travis and Brooke Behling. She is a freshman at Iowa State University with a double major in animal science with a beef emphasis and agricultural business management with future plans to run a cattle company specializing in premium Simmental genetics.

 

The recipient of a special $1,250 scholarship with funds donated by Richard and Peggy Daluge is Mary Zwald of Beaver Dam. Mary is the daughter of Nate and Angela Zwald. She is a freshman at UW-Madison and has future plans to earn a doctorate in veterinary medicine, then practice in the dairy industry.

 

Receiving additional scholarships from the Wisconsin Holstein Foundation include:

    • Lilly Peterson, Baldwin, received $1,500. She is a freshman at the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, double majoring in animal science

     and agriculture communications and marketing.

    • Peyton Voegeli of Poynette received $1,500. She is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in environmental

     horticulture.

 

The Wisconsin Holstein Foundation is proud of these deserving youth. All Wisconsin Holstein Association members who are attending a two- or four-year university for an undergraduate degree in any major are encouraged to apply for scholarships, with applications due March 1 each year.