More than $900,000 in college scholarships has been awarded to over 130 graduating high school seniors from Wisconsin who have pursued a career in agriculture in the 38-year history of the program.
The 2023 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship recipients (pictured above, left to right) are: Elizabeth Colwell, Nathan Hartwig, Corrin Marie Liptak, Brianna Meyer, and Garrett Ulness.
Green Bay, Wis. (November 6, 2023) — Before the late Thomas H. Lutsey made a name for himself as an inventor in the mid-20th century of still-popular ice-cream treats, his life’s work as an innovator started as a child working on his family’s farm in Pulaski, Wisconsin. Life skills of hard work, diligence and perseverance were acquired at a young age and served Lutsey well as a dairy farmer with his groundbreaking concoctions in the dairy industry.
The agricultural and innovative legacy of Lutsey has carried on for the last 38 years with the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship. Lutsey started the scholarship to help students in rural Wisconsin communities who have a passion for agriculture and work hard, advance their education and their local community.
Matt Lutsey, president of Waseda Farms and grandson of Thomas H. Lutsey, is proud to announce the selection of five graduating Wisconsin high school students for the 2023 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship. Each scholar receives a four-year, $10,000 college scholarship.
Since its inception in 1986, the Thomas H Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship program has awarded more than $900,000 in scholarship money to over 130 scholars.
“My grandfather would be very proud of the impact the scholarship program is having on dozens of communities in various regions of Wisconsin with the support of the future of agriculture through education,” Matt Lutsey said. “This new generation of agricultural enthusiasts has been tested in unimaginable ways as we have all grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic the last three years. Their resiliency to overcome so much will serve them well as they pursue their interests in agriculture and help advance their community.”
To be considered for the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship, students must be in their final year of high school, graduating from a high school that is within 150 miles of Green Bay, in good academic standing, planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university, and committed to pursue a career in agriculture that will enhance Wisconsin’s rural communities.
2023 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship Recipients
This year’s scholars include an impressive mix of high-achieving standouts in the classroom, FFA leaders and young entrepreneurs.
“Each spring, the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship Committee has the enriching task of assessing and judging the scholar applications and then deciding as a group who, among all impressive applicants, stands out as most deserving to receive a Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship,” Matt Lutsey said. “The 2023 scholars are an outstanding group for all they have accomplished inside and outside of school, their proactive leadership qualities and service to community, their industrious spirit, and their shared passion to enhance agriculture in their local communities. We congratulate them and thank all those who applied for the Lutsey-Waseda Farms scholarship this year, and we wish everyone continued success as they move on to college.”
The 2023 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship recipients are:
Corrin Marie Liptak, Coleman, WI. Corrin attends UW-La Crosse majoring in Veterinary Medicine. Her agricultural roots run deep from being raised on a farm and having a grandmother that is on the board of the Dairy Farms of Wisconsin. She has held offices with the FFA and NHS and has been enrolled in college courses during her senior year of high school.
Nathan Hartwig, Fort Atkinson, WI. Nathan is attending UW-Madison majoring in Agriculture Business. Nathan grew up on his family’s farm and recently participated in a youth apprenticeship through Hartwig Poultry. His involvement in many sports and multiple organizations, including FFA, have made Nathan the well-rounded student he is today.
Elizabeth Colwell, LaValle, WI. Elizabeth currently attends UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County; she will then complete her education at UW-Madison majoring in Animal Sciences and Wildlife Ecology. She has been a member of the T-N-T 4-H Club for 10 years and has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities. She also grew up on her family’s farm of sheep, chickens and rabbits.
Brianna Meyer, Chilton, WI. Brianna attends UW-Madison majoring in Dairy Science. She was raised on her family’s farm assisting with the daily care of their show herd. In high school, she was President of her local 4-H and FFA and ranked #1 in her senior class.
Garrett Ulness, Valders, WI. Following in the footsteps of his mother and sister, Garrett is the 3rd family member to receive this scholarship. Right now, he is attending UW-Madison headed towards a degree in Dairy Science. Garrett was educated and worked hard most of his life on his family’s 80-cow Registered Holstein farm. He also served as President of his local 4-H and FFA affiliate.
A Commitment to Sustainable Farming and Education
The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship bears the name of the late creator of the scholarship program 38 years ago. Thomas H. Lutsey was a dairy farmer in Pulaski, Wisconsin, who developed Gold Bond Ice Cream (later known as Good Humor-Breyers) and ice-cream novelties such as the Eskimo Pie. His son, Tom Lutsey, founded Waseda Farms in 2008.
Waseda Farms is a certified organic, sustainable farm in Door County, Wisconsin, that encourages the best environmental practices and humane animal treatment and provides agricultural jobs to the community. Waseda Farms also operates Waseda Farms Market. One market store is located on the farm in Door County and the butcher shop in De Pere, Wisconsin. They also ship nationwide through their online marketplace. More information on Waseda Farms can be found at WasedaFarms.com.
The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship underscores Waseda Farms’ commitment to organic, sustainable and responsible farming and its commitment to education. Thomas Lutsey was a strong believer in hard work and diligence being essential to success. He wanted to help students who had a passion for agriculture and a dedication to furthering their education to better their local communities. The annual goal is to support students in rural communities who go to college and plan to commit themselves to living and working in those communities to advance Wisconsin’s agricultural future.
More information on the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship can be found at scholarship.wasedafarms.com.
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