CRI Announces "Founders" Scholarship Winners

SHAWANO, Wis. - Annually, Cooperative Resources International (CRI) awards scholarships to children of CRI employees. This year the four winners of the 2009 CRI "Founders" Scholarship include Mary Alison Martin of Lugoff, S.C., Arica Bartz of Clintonville, Wis., Dustin Huser of Vesper, Wis., and Mallory Krueger of Winneconne, Wis.

The scholarship, awarded to young people within the CRI family who have demonstrated xceptional academic and leadership skills and expressed a desire to advance their education beyond traditional school, was established to honor the cooperative's pioneering leaders. In tribute, each student will receive a $750 scholarship. 

Scholarship recipient Mary Alison Martin is the daughter of Robert Martin who is an Area Sales Representative for Genex Cooperative, Inc., a subsidiary of CRI. Martin's future ambitions are taking her to Clemson University located in Cleson, S.C., where she will major in architecture. After earning her bachelor's degree, Martin plans to further her education with a master's degree in architecture.  

Also receiving the scholarship is Mallory Krueger, daughter of Michael and Vicki Krueger. Her father is employed by Genex as an Area Sales Representative. Krueger is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she plans on majoring in both biochemistry and Spanish. After earning her bachelor's degree, she hopes to participate in the physician assistant program in order to acquire her master's degree.     

Dustin Huser, son of David and Adele Huser, was also a recipient of this scholarship. His father is a Breeding Program Specialist for Genex. Huser plans to attend Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., this fall and will study in the farm operations program with a goal of managing his family farm."My parents are willing to form an LLC operation with me. They will provide the land and buildings, and I will provide the cattle and machinery," stated Huser. 

The final scholarship winner is Arica Bartz, daughter of Gary and Sarah Bartz. Her father is a Field Technician for AgSource Cooperative Services, a subsidiary of CRI. Bartz's future ambitions are taking her to the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, where she will pursue a career as a physical therapist. She has prepared herself by attending courses at Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.  

Martin, Bartz, Huser and Krueger are excellent examples of youth within the CRI family who demonstrate exceptional academics and leadership skills. CRI names these students recipients of the annual scholarship because of the leadership they have provided to their peers and community in the past, and the commitment they have to being community leaders in the future.

CRI, a member-owned holding cooperative, is comprised of three subsidiaries: Central Livestock Association, AgSource Cooperative Services and Genex. The CRI Mission Statement summarizes the goal of CRI: "To provide products and services as effectively as possible to maximize the profitability of members and customers worldwide while maintaining a strong cooperative."

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