Three students in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences have been selected to receive Outstanding Sophomore Awards from the Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA).
Kylie Konyn, Natalie Roe and Sophia Green were among the 10 CALS students to receive the awards, presented annually to sophomores who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership and service to the university and their communities. These students are awarded a financial gift of up to $2,000 to apply toward junior-year tuition at UW-Madison. The award winners are recognized at a WALSAA board meeting in the spring and at a scholars and donors event in the fall, in addition to being announced in the WALSAA Express and on the organization’s website.
Konyn, a native of Escondido, Calif., has been involved in the Collegiate Farm Bureau, the Badger Dairy Club, Saddle & Sirloin and the Association of Women in Agriculture. She said she is grateful for the scholarship because as an out-of-state student, the cost of tuition can be expensive. Konyn is majoring in dairy science.
Roe is a dairy science major from Monticello in Green County. She has been active in the Association of Women in Agriculture, the Badger Dairy Club and the Collegiate Farm Bureau. She said the application process for the award was “a great experience to sharpen interview skills,” and that the scholarship will help her toward her goal of graduating from UW-Madison debt-free.
Green, who attended Sun Prairie High School in Sun Prairie, has been involved in the Association of Women in Agriculture, the Badger Dairy Club, the Pre-Veterinary Association and the Collegiate Farm Bureau. She hopes to attend veterinary school upon graduation. Green said the scholarship will not only benefit her financially as she pursues her degree in animal science, but it will also help connect her to members of the WALSAA board for potential jobs and networking opportunities.
WALSAA was founded in 1972 to support the efforts of CALS by providing a communication and activity link to college alumni and potential students. The nonprofit organization supports current students through scholarships and leadership recognition.
