MCLEAN, Va. – After holding a record-setting fundraising event during the Food Processing Suppliers Association Annual Conference earlier this year, a total of seven, $10,000 scholarships have been awarded to deserving students studying meat science at universities across the country by the Meat Industry Suppliers Alliance Foundation (MISAF).

The scholarship winners include Ashley Collins, Kansas State Univ.; Cody Gifford, Colorado State Univ.; Mary Ann Matney, Kansas State Univ.; Caitlynn Mullins, Ohio State Univ.; Loni Wooley, Texas Tech Univ.; Aaron Blakeley, Iowa State Univ.; and Ty Sexton, Iowa State Univ.


“Our very successful dinner and auction held in conjunction with the FPSA Annual Conference has allowed MISA to award $70,000 in scholarships in 2014, a record amount,” stated Tom Hoffmann, chairman of the MISA Council. “I want to congratulate all the winners and wish them continued success in their academic endeavors and careers. Additionally, I want to thank all of the participants in the MISA Auction, those who donated and those who purchased auction items. It goes without saying that without their generous contributions there would be no scholarships to award.”

Next year’s auction is scheduled to take place on March 20, 2015, in conjunction with the FPSA Annual Conference at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, Calif. The scholarship application period will open in late January 2015, and will remain open until May 1.

“Our members and their customers realize the importance of these scholarships, and they really come out to support this event,” said David Seckman, president and CEO of FPSA. "Education is a critical component of our mission and this program illustrates that we take that mission seriously.”