Posted 10/10/2020

For immediate release: Oct. 10, 2020

For more information, contact:

Dan Rorvig, NDSF president: (701) 797-7338 • rorvigranchco@gondtc.com

Julie Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org

Elizabeth Neshem, NDSA communications director: (701) 223-2522 • eneshem@ndstockmen.org

North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation awards 10 scholarships

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation (NDSF) awarded 10 scholarships during the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association’s (NDSA) 91^st Annual Convention & Trade Show in Bismarck, N.D., this afternoon.

The NDSF awarded four $500 Legacy Scholarships to Taylor Downing of Fairfield, N.D., Jack McCrory of Linton, N.D., Shelby Meckle of Center, N.D., and Alexis Vandeberghe of Cleveland, N.D.

Downing is a freshman at Dickinson State University (DSU) studying agricultural education. Her goal is to inform the younger generation about agriculture and spread the possible message about agriculture as an educator, helping youth reach their fullest potential. Downing was actively involved in 4-H, FFA and North Dakota Honor Society and is a graduate of the NDSA’s Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit. She is the daughter of Jason and Tina Downing.

McCrory is the son of John and Lisa McCrory. He is studying agricultural economics and animal science at North Dakota State University (NDSU), where is a junior. He is a member of the NDSU Agribusiness Club and the Farmhouse Fraternity, as well as his local church and the Knights of Columbus Club. McCrory plans to farm and ranch after graduation.

Meckle is a freshman at Bismarck State College (BSC), where she is studying agribusiness and animal science. Meckle has demonstrated her leadership as the past president of the Center FFA Chapter. She was the Center Student Council president, a girls basketball team captain and yearbook member. She has worked as a Vacation Bible School leader and currently works as a veterinarian assistant at both the Pinehurst and Commerce locations of Missouri Valley Vet. Meckle wants to continue in the livestock industry after graduation. She is the daughter of Brad and Milissa Meckle. 

Vandeberghe is the daughter of Paul and Lori Vandeberghe. A freshman in college, Vandeberghe is in the pre-vet/animal science program at NDSU. Her goal is to grow her Angus cattle herd, graduate from veterinary school and specialize in cattle reproduction. Vandeberghe is an NDSA student member and a Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit graduate and has promoted the agriculture industry as the 2020 North Dakota Angus Queen, a North Dakota Junior Angus Association officer and active 4-H and FFA member.

The newest NDSF scholarships are the Myron Wold Memorial Scholarships, added this year in honor of the late Myron Wold, a longtime NDSA member and Watford City, N.D., cattleman. The two winners of the Myron Wold Memorial Scholarships are Calli Hauck of Forbes, N.D., and Jayden MacDonald of Bismarck, N.D.

Hauck is a freshman at NDSU, pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering and ag business. She dreams of designing equipment and technology that increase efficiencies and add to agriculture’s sustainability. Calli has a long background in agriculture, growing up on a diversified operation and exceling in agricultural organizations like 4-H and FFA. She was part of the state-winning 4-H livestock judging team and is currently serving as a state FFA officer. Hauck is the daughter of Keith and Janell Hauck.

MacDonald is the son of Will and Jerilyn MacDonald. He is a freshman at NDSU, where he is studying ag education and animal science, pursing his dream of being part of his family’s seedstock operation, growing his own beef herd and inspiring young people in agriculture as an ag education teacher. MacDonald is a Top Hands graduate and a state qualifier with his FFA Beef Production Supervised Agricultural Experience Program project. He is currently serving on the FFA state officer team as sentinel.

Madison Baumgartner of Bismarck, N.D., received a $500 Tokach Angus Ranch Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship honors the memory of Richard M. “Dick” Tokach, who was the NDSA president from 1984-1986. She is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota, where she is pursuing a degree in animal science with an emphasis in pre-veterinary medicine. Baumgartner plans to attend veterinary school. She was very involved in high school as a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, holding several offices and serving on the national committee as the Mountain Plains regional communications director; student council president and vice president; the 2017 St. Mary’s Central High School class president and salutatorian; and the 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of North Dakota. While in college, Baumgartner was elected as the Pre-Veterinary Club’s College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources science student board representative and is a member of the Beta of Clovia Sorority. She is the daughter of Michael and Nancy Baumgartner.

Shaye Koester, the daughter of Steve and Tracey Koester, was awarded a $500 Endowment Scholarship by the NDSF. She is a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studying animal science and entrepreneurship, and is the host and proprietor of the “Casual Cattle Conversations” podcast. After college, Koester plans to return home to her family’s operation and continue raising registered and commercial Red Angus cattle. Koester served on the National Junior Red Angus Association board. In high school. She also participated in FFA, 4-H and the Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit.

Jacob Hauck was awarded the $500 Junior Scholarship from the NDSF. He is currently at NDSU, where he is studying agricultural economics with the intent of returning home to his family’s operation, expanding his registered cattle herd and selling seedstock. He also hopes to build a small feedlot. Hauck was actively involved in 4-H and FFA in high school. He was named the State Star in Ag Placement. He is actively involved in the Saddle and Sirloin Club and Agribusiness Club. Hauck is the son of Keith and Janell Hauck.

Haley Vollmer is the daughter of Troy and Sara Vollmer and is the winner of the $750 Jack and Vander Reich Memorial Scholarship. Vollmer is a freshman at Kansas State University, studying agribusiness in preparation for a career in agricultural marketing and media to improve the public’s view of agriculture. Vollmer was active in high school, serving on the student council, member of the National Honor Society and drama club. She is actively involved in rodeo, competing at the National High School Rodeo Finals each year. She is currently a member of the Kansas State University Rodeo Team. This scholarship honors the late Jack and Vander Reich of Zap, N.D. Jack served as the NDSA president from 2008 to 2010.

The NDSF will be offering scholarships again in 2021. Information and downloadable applications can be found at www.ndstockmen.org/foundation. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2021.

###