NGA Research and Education Foundation Recognizes Student Scholarship Winners

February 12, 2017

Las Vegas, NV – Today, the NGA Research and Education Foundation (NGA Foundation) recognized scholarship recipients for the 2016-2017 academic school year at a brunch in support of the NGA Foundation, sponsored by Chobani. The NGA Foundation brunch was held at the National Grocers Association’s annual convention, The NGA Show.

“The NGA Research and Education Foundation has accomplished a lot in its twenty-five years of service, but I know we can do more,” said Elizabeth Crocker, vice president and executive director of the NGA Research and Education Foundation. “I look forward to refocusing our energy and putting more resources toward serving the Foundation’s mission of recruiting, training, and retaining new talent for our industry.”

“It’s critically important to give back and invest in our industry’s next generation of leaders,” said Peter J. Larkin, NGA president and CEO.  “These impressive students are our leaders of tomorrow, and we must do what we can to encourage them to enter and thrive in the independent supermarket industry.”

The mission of the NGA Foundation is to help the independent grocer attract and retail top talent, develop future leaders and become an employer of choice for college graduates. The Foundation’s scholarship program would not be possible without the support and generous contributions from various partners within the independent supermarket industry. Scholarship recipients for the 2016-2017 academic school year are listed below:

2016/2017 NGA Research and Education Foundation Scholarships:

The Charlie and Becky Bray Scholarship was awarded to Jacob Crowell, a current student at Western Michigan University. He is pursuing a degree in Food and Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing.

The Roger Collins Scholarship was awarded to Michael Navarro, who is currently working on his degree in Business/Food Management from Arizona State University.

The First Data Technology Scholarship recipients are Jennifer Bell and David Rosen. Bell is currently attending the University of North Texas, where she is pursuing a degree in Learning Technologies, and Rosen is working on his MBA at the University of La Verne.

The Kimberly-Clark Corp. Scholarship was awarded to Antonio Scelfo, who is currently pursuing his degree in Finance from Notre Dame University.

The Peter and Jody Larkin Scholarship was awarded to Dusty Longoria, who is working on a degree in Business Management from the University of North Texas.

The Mondelēz International Scholarship was awarded to Michael Standeven, a current student at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he is working on a degree in Computer Science.

The Bob Richardson Scholarship was awarded to Sadie Brumfield, who is attending East Tennessee State University, pursuing a degree in Business.

 ****

Asparagus Scholarships Recipients:

Victoria Conlon is pursuing her degree in Marketing Analytics at Vanderbilt University.

Jason Forrester is currently attending Colorado Technical University, where he is working on his MBA.

Kevin Halcomb is studying Business Administration at the King University.

Crystal Siemers-Peterman is attending the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities for her degree in Agriculture and Food Business Management.

Michelle Turner is attending the University of Missouri – Kansas City, where she is working on her MBA.

****

Thomas K. Zaucha Asparagus Club Recipient:

Dusty Longoria is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management at the University of North Texas.

The Thomas K. Zaucha scholarship is given each year to an outstanding applicant who is pursuing a career in the grocery industry particularly focused on the independent retailer and wholesaler sector.

*****

Women Grocers of America (WGA) Mary Macey Scholarship Recipients:

Jensen Lewis is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration at William Jessup University.

Dusty Longoria is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management at the University of North Texas.

Adam Peterson is attending Western Michigan University, where he is pursuing his degree in Food and Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing.