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The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation (OSCF) is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This is the 18th year for the OSCF Scholarship Program, which was created to encourage undergraduate students to pursue degrees in various fields that support the future of the soybean industry, including agriculture, business, communication, economics, education, science, and technology, as well as to support ongoing graduate-level research. Since 2008, the OSCF Scholarship Program has awarded over $680,000 in scholarship funds to students studying agriculture or a related field at Ohio colleges or universities.

Undergraduate scholarships of $3,000 each were awarded to Chloe Anderson, Ruth Beery, Hannah Chaffee, William Harrison, Sarah Hoak, Anna Meyer, Reagan Saunders, and Gracie Sprague. The annual $5,000 Bhima Vijayendran Scholarship, named in honor of a Battelle research scientist who made significant contributions to the soybean industry and passed away earlier this year, was awarded to Dylan Bambauer. The Robinson W. Joslin Scholarship, an annual $3,000 award created to honor a long-time leader in the soybean industry both in Ohio and nationally, was awarded to Kaylynn Wilhelm.

Graduate scholarships of $2,500 were awarded to Veeramani Karuppuchamy, Lucas Dias Mendonca, Joseph Nwosu, and Brenda Antonella Medina Privatt. A graduate scholarship of $5,000 was awarded to Talia Collier.

“I’m honored to serve on the scholarship selection committee for the first time this year, and I am truly impressed by the caliber of these recipients,” said Jeff McKanna, Hancock County soybean farmer and scholarship selection committee member. “These students are the future of our industry, and I’m confident they will make meaningful contributions to its growth and success.”

Undergraduate Winners

• Chloe Anderson of Kenton, OH, is a junior at The Ohio State University studying agriscience education.

• Dylan Bambauer of New Bremen, OH, is a junior at the University of Dayton studying mechanical engineering.
• Ruth Beery of Frankfort, OH, is a junior at Wilmington College studying animal science and biology.

• Hannah Chaffee of Republic, OH, is a freshman at The Ohio State University studying agribusiness and applied economics.

• William Harrison of Wayne, OH, is a sophomore at The Ohio State University studying agricultural systems management.

• Sarah Hoak of Shelby, OH, is a sophomore at The Ohio State University studying sustainable agriculture.

• Anna Meyer of Cygnet, OH, is a sophomore at The Ohio State University studying agricultural communication.

• Reagan Saunders of Bellbrook, OH, is a sophomore at The Ohio State University studying animal science – biosciences pre-vet.

• Gracie Sprague of Genoa, OH, is a sophomore at The Ohio State University ATI studying agriscience education.

• Kaylynn Wilhelm of Enon, OH, is a junior at The Ohio State University studying agriscience education.

Graduate Winners

• Talia Collier is pursuing a PhD in plant pathology at The Ohio State University. Collier’s research focuses on developing sustainable, peptide-based solutions to combat White Mold Disease in soybeans.

• Veeramani Karuppuchamy is pursuing a PhD in food science and technology at The Ohio State University. Karuppchamy’s research focuses on utilizing byproducts from the soybean and brewery industries to enhance sustainability and develop high-fiber, protein-rich foods.

• Lucas Dias Mendonca is pursuing a master’s degree in agronomy at The Ohio State University. Mendonca’s research aims to evaluate various weed control programs that minimize weed competition while maximizing soybean yield in ultra-early planting situations.

• Joseph Nwosu is pursuing a PhD in polymer engineering at The University of Akron. Nwosu’s research focuses on utilizing soybean oil derivatives to develop high-performance thermosets, composites, and UV-curable coatings.

• Brenda Antonella Medina Privatt is pursuing a master’s degree in horticulture and crop science at The Ohio State University. Medina Privatt’s research is centered on developing soy-based granular fertilizers for homeowners and lawncare operators.