NGA Foundation Awards Scholarships

The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade organization representing the independent supermarket industry, has awarded $73,000 in scholarship funding for the 2017-18 academic year to 16 students working toward a career in the grocery industry.

“One of the most important missions we have is preparing today’s students for the challenges of tomorrow,” noted Elizabeth Crocker, the foundation’s VP and executive director. “There’s no doubt that each of these students will bring as much talent, drive and passion to the industry as they do to their schoolwork."

“No one knows better than independent grocers how fiercely competitive the supermarket industry is,” added Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of Arlington, Va.-based NGA. “With this new crop of torchbearers, independent supermarkets will be stocked with leaders ready to help the industry face new challenges and competitive marketplace shifts head-on.”

The scholarships and recipients are as follows:

• Thomas K. Zaucha Asparagus Club Scholarship ($2,500 for up to four semesters): Chad Villanueva, The Save Mart Cos. (FoodMaxx #487), pursuing a degree in business management at Fresno Pacific University
• Asparagus Club Scholarship ($2,000 for up to four semesters): Nolan Hickey, Hy-Vee, Inc., pursuing a degree in supply chain management from Iowa State University; Margaret Schnaufer, Fareway Stores, pursuing a degree in finance and management from Iowa State University; Denise Malkoon, Peanut Butter Americano LLC, pursuing a degree in entrepreneurial student mentorship in higher education at Arizona State University; Cara Mahon, Associated Wholesale Grocers, pursuing a degree in interactive media and strategic planning at the University of Missouri; and Lauren Hillsburg, Hormel Corp. pursuing a degree in food and CPG marketing at Western Michigan University
• Bob Richardson Scholarship ($1,000 annual): George Denny, K-VA-T/Food City, pursuing a degree in physics and geology at the College of William and Mary
• Charlie and Becky Bray Scholarship ($2,500 annual): John Schneidenbach, SpartanNash Co., pursuing a degree in food and CPG marketing at Western Michigan University
• First Data Technology Scholarship ($2,500 annual): Ryan Sobolik, Valley Markets Inc., dba Hugo’s, pursuing a degree in accounting at the University of Mary, and Travis Stinson, Brookshire Grocery Co., pursuing a master’s degree in business administration and industrial management from the University of Texas at Tyler
• The first-ever FMS Scholarship ($3,000 annual): David Rosen, Vincente Foods, pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from the University of LaVerne
• Kimberly-Clark Corp. Scholarship ($2,500 annual): Mikaela Campbell-Magana, K-VA-T Food City, pursuing a degree in business administration at King University
• Mondelēz International Scholarship ($2,500 annual): Chad Villanueva (see above for Thomas K. Zaucha Asparagus Club Scholarship)
• Peter and Jody Larkin Scholarship ($2,500 annual): Emily Mufich, Unified Grocers Inc., pursuing a degree in organizational leadership at Point Loma Nazarene University
• Roger Collins Scholarship ($1,000 annual): Lindsey Oettel, University of Illinois, pursuing a degree in food science and human nutrition at the university
• Women Grocers of America (WGA) Mary Macey Scholarship ($1,500 annual): Katie Bridge, Roche Brothers Supermarkets, pursuing a degree in business marketing at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and Sarah Carpenter, Acosta, pursuing a degree in marketing at Western Michigan University

Since 1990, the NGA Foundation has granted more than $1 million in scholarships to students preparing for grocery industry careers.