Poultry Federation Names 2022-23 Scholarship Recipients

Jessica Wesson

There were 26 students from the Department of Poultry Science that received the 2022-23 Poultry Federation scholarship.

The Poultry Federation recently recognized 26 poultry science students for receiving the TPF scholarship at the 62nd annual Poultry Festival in Rogers.

The Poultry Federation is a multi-state organization that represents the poultry and egg industry in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The federation protects the interests of the industry and acts on behalf of the industry and stakeholders in the state government. The Poultry Federation was established in 1954 and consolidated with Oklahoma and Missouri in 1998.

The federation's scholarship program is funded by the Arkansas Nutrition Conference and the Allied Industries Scholarship Auction. Since 2010, the Allied Industries Scholarship Auction and the Arkansas Nutrition Conference has awarded a total of $1,369,016 to students pursuing a career in the poultry and egg industry. Over the past 12 years, a total of 380 students have been awarded a scholarship through the Allied Industries Scholarship Fund and Nutrition Scholarship Fund.

"The Poultry Federation Scholarship Program is part of our mission to support the youth who are destined to be the future leaders in the poultry and egg industry," stated Marvin Childers, president of the Poultry Federation.

Several graduate and undergraduate students attended the scholarship auction at the Poultry Festival on June 10. The recipients of the 2022-23 scholarship were invited to partake in the event as well as network with industry professionals.

The 2022-23 recipients pursuing a poultry science degree at the U of A are:

• Annalise Anderson, Ph.D. student
• Benjamin Angel, M.S. student
• Samantha Beitia, Ph.D. student
• Morgan Bonner, sophomore
• Arjun Chapagain, M.S. student
• Katelyn Clark, senior
• Renee Cude, senior
• Colten Dale, senior
• Ellis Freel, junior
• Jay Hampton, M.S. student
• Seth Hufford, senior
• Clay Maynard, Ph.D. student
• Payton McGinnis, senior
• Muhammed Ali Muhammed, junior
• Blake Nelson, M.S. student
• Abigeal Omolewu, Ph.D. student
• Benjamin Parsons, Ph.D. student
• Alessandro Rocchi, senior
• Kylie Roesler, senior
• Jossie Santamaria, Ph.D. student
• Madison Smalley, junior
• Chloe Smith, junior
• Jean-Remi Teyssier, Ph.D. student
• Emily Traylor, junior
• Lyla Warren, junior
• Savannah Wells-Crafton, M.S. student

This scholarship is given to students pursuing a degree that would lead to a career in the poultry and egg industry. Anderson is a Ph.D. student from McHenry, Illinois, and this was her first time to receive the Poultry Federation scholarship.

"This scholarship helped me continue my education by reinforcing my self-confidence and providing motivation to achieve my educational goals," Anderson said.

Clark is a senior majoring in poultry science with a minor in Spanish. Clark is from Elkins, and she's a second-time recipient of this scholarship.

"I consider it an honor to receive a scholarship from those most invested in the future of this industry," Clark said. "It has allowed me to focus on school and devote my time to my research project rather than working to pay for my education-related expenses."

While some students found encouragement and motivation from this scholarship, others found a financial lifeline for themselves or their families. Bonner is a sophomore from Nashville, Arkansas, and this is her first time to receive the scholarship. Bonner had a major life change recently that made this scholarship all that more important.

"It is an honor to receive this scholarship from a great organization that is a voice for the poultry industry," Bonner said. "I just got married, and while it is exciting, it does bring financial stress. This scholarship encourages me to continue to gain a valuable education by removing a lot of the financial burden."

Nelson is an M.S. student from Clarksville, and he is a second-time recipient of the Poultry Federation scholarship.

"Graduate school requires a great deal of hard work and dedication," Nelson said. "This scholarship has eased the financial burden and allowed me to focus my full effort on being the best student I can be."