Each year the Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) recognizes student excellence at UW–Madison. WALSAA is a charitable organization that supports the University of Wisconsin’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences relationships with students, faculty and alumni.

One way that WALSAA helps undergraduates is through their Outstanding Sophomore Award. The WALSAA scholarship committee narrows down many applications to select the Top 10 Outstanding Sophomores who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership and service to the University and their community. The students are awarded a financial gift to apply toward tuition in their junior year at UW-Madison.

This year the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences is excited to announce Nicole Broege and Gabrielle Conidi as two of ten recipients of this award.

Nicole Broege, Janesville, Wisc., is a sophomore Dairy Science major and is currently pursuing a certificate in data science. Aside from being actively involved in several student organizations, she is also a herd manager at Rock-Edge Holsteins and will join ABS this summer in Tech and Genetics Services. She also served on the Junior Activities Committee for the Wisconsin Holstein Association, and was recently elected as the secretary of the Association of Women in Agriculture and the president of the Badger Dairy Club at UW-Madison. Nicole says her time on campus has been special “because the faculty truly care about students succeeding in what they’re passionate about. I also have the opportunity to interact with so many other undergrads with similar goals while getting a first-class education.”

Gabrielle Conidi, Hinsdale, Ill., is a sophomore Animal Sciences and Conservation Biology major who plans on attending veterinary school upon completion of her undergraduate degree. She currently works part-time at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care Center as a Student Assistant, working in the Special Species/Zoological Medicine Department. She has also spent time working in the Laura Hernandez Physiology Laboratory, and volunteering for numerous organizations.

The Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences would like to extend its sincere congratulations to these two students receiving this prestigious honor. For more information on WALSAA visit www.walsaa.org.  

This article was posted in News.