Scholarship recipients
Kelsi Thoren
2025 Academic Scholarship Recipient
Kelsi Thoren is a junior studying accounting at Washington State University. At WSU she serves as the Director of Community Affairs for ASWSU and previously served as the Director of Service and Philanthropy for Pi Beta Phi. In ASWSU she acts as a liaison between her college town Pullman and the university. Her goal is to make sure student voices are heard on and off campus. In Kelsi’s free time she enjoys cooking, riding horses, and going thrifting. With goals of becoming a CPA, attending law school, and eventually becoming an agricultural estate planer, Kelsi is committed to integrity, ambition, and creating opportunities for others.
Gentry Warner
2025 Academic Scholarship Recipient
Gentry Warner is a third-generation cattle producer and an agricultural communications student at Kansas State University, where she will graduate in May 2027 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications & Journalism. Growing up on her family’s large registered and commercial cattle operation in Nebraska, Gentry developed a deep-rooted passion for the beef industry that has shaped both her academic focus and career aspirations. She is passionate about bridging the gap between producers and consumers by elevating authentic stories from across the agricultural landscape. Following graduation, Gentry plans to pursue a career in agricultural policy or communications within the agriculture industry, with the long-term goal of advocating and sharing the story of producers at the national level.
Madalynn welsh
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient
Madalynn Welsh is a sixth-generation cattle producer and a first-generation college student from Franklin, Nebraska. She graduated in May 2025 from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biotechnology. During her time at Auburn, she has prioritized campus involvement and research endeavors while maintaining a strong presence in the beef industry. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a Master’s in Animal Sciences, specializing in Genetics & Genomics. This next step aims to propel her toward her lifelong goal of building a career that combines her passion for science and the agriculture industry. Madalynn’s passion for innovation within the agricultural field is why she was selected for the Zuvich Family Foundation scholarship.
Haley Rodriguez
2024 Academic Scholarship Recipient
Haley Rodriguez is an Animal Scientist from Arkansas. She received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, with a minor in Microbiology, from Colorado State University in May 2025. Throughout her undergraduate career, Haley held many leadership positions focused on student success. She was a Peer Mentor in the Department of Animal Sciences and held numerous positions within the Orientation Leader program at CSU. As a Peer Mentor, a responsibility she took on with pride was the departmental Involvement Fair, which connected undergraduate students with clubs and research opportunities within the department. Haley’s passion for student success within the animal science field is why she was selected for the Zuvich Family Foundation scholarship.