NMA SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION DELIVERS AWARDS AT MEATXPO'99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact NMA

March 4, 1999

OAKLAND, CA -- Michael Lau, an undergraduate from Cal Poly State University, San Louis Obispo in Agribusiness was the NMA Scholarship Foundation's proud DeBenedetti Scholarship award winner. Michael received his award and a commemorative plaque in person at the Annual Meeting at NMA's MEATXPO'99 and 53rd Annual Convention. NMA Scholarship Foundation President Ron Gustafson and Michael and Stage DeBenedetti were pleased present the award to this deserving student.

Jared Gailey of Brigham Young University, a student of Microbiology and Animal Science, was also on hand to receive the Al Piccetti Scholarship. Jared was a previous scholarship recipient and has volunteered to help at many of NMA's past conventions. Taking a moment to speak to the assembled members, Jared said he hopes to see the money that has been placed in the NMA Scholarship Foundation "return to its contributors as dividends."

Jennifer Dylla, Texas A&M University, Meat Science won the Bud Horton Scholarship. NMA Scholarship Grant recipients included Gayle Hudgins Locke, Texas Tech University, Animal Science and Food Technology; Kelly Reed Ingham, Colorado State University, Animal Science; David Andy King, Texas A&M University, Animal Science; and Erica Davis, Colorado State University, Animal Science.

The awards were presented at the association's MEATXPO'99 and 53^rd Annual Convention in Monterey, California, February 18-20, 1999.

The NMA Scholarship Foundation is administered by the Directors of the NMA Scholarship Foundation. These $2,000 and $1,500 merit-based awards are presented annually to students studying Animal/Meat/Food Science or related Agriculture Engineering and considering a career in the meat industry.

National Meat Association is a non-profit trade association representing meat packers and processors, as well as equipment manufacturers and suppliers who provide services to the meat industry. The association, with over 600 members throughout the United States, includes membership in Canada, Australia and Mexico.

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