Five 2022 Graduates Honored with the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship
More than $865,000 in college scholarships has been awarded to 129 graduating high school seniors from Wisconsin who have pursued a career in agriculture in the 37-year history of the program
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 and with his groundbreaking concoctions in the dairy industry with automated machinery and sweet treats.
The agricultural and innovative legacy of Lutsey has carried on the last 37 years with the Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship. Lutsey started the scholarship as a way to help students in rural Wisconsin communities who have a passion for agriculture and work hard, advance their education and enhance 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 2022 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 $865,000 in scholarship money to 129 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 two 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.
2022 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 2022 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 2022 Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship recipients are:
Jenna Gries, Manitowoc, WI. Jenna will be attending University of Wisconsin Madison majoring in Dairy Science. She was raised on a dairy farm and worked on it her entire life. Her final year of high school Jenna was President of her class, President of her local 4-H and Vice-President of Manitowoc-Lutheran’s National Honor Society. She also finished the school year with a 4.0 GPA.
Benjamin McMeeken, West Bend, WI. Ben will be attending University of Wisconsin River Falls majoring in Agricultural Education. Ben finished high school at Slinger with a couple titles, Vice President of his local FFA chapter and 4-H President. He has also been on high honor roll throughout high school.
Emma Bangart, Stratford, WI. Emma grew up on a dairy farm where she has learned important life skills. She will be attending University of Wisconsin River Falls majoring in Dairy Science. She is also President of the Rozellville Rockets 4-H club and Vice President of the Marshfield FFA.
Clarissa Ulness, Valders, WI. Clarissa’s mother is an alumnus of our scholarship, making her our first 2nd generation recipient. She will be attending University of Wisconsin Madison majoring in Dairy Science. She was raised on a farm and her motto is Faith, Family & Farm. She is Valedictorian & President of her class, Student Council President, President of Valders FFA and finally, President of the Liberty Go-Getters 4-H club. She also finished her senior year with a 4.0 GPA.
Amy Jentges, Port Washington, WI. Amy also grew up on a farm and will be attending University of Wisconsin River Falls majoring in Agricultural Education. Amy is President of Little Kohler 4-H and has been a member for 11 years.
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 37 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 store located on the farm in Door County, and its butcher shop in De Pere, Wisconsin They also ship nationwide through its 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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Waseda Farms
Contact: Lisa Wright, Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Farms Scholarship
Phone: 920–839–2222
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