IMEF Scholarship Program
The IMEF Scholarship program was established in 2008 to support the education of undergraduates in the sciences of grain milling. In 2012, the program was expanded to include opportunities for professionals already working in the field of milling.
At the annual IAOM Conference & Expo in 2013, Grain Millers, Inc., pledged a donation of $100,000 to establish an endowment to support the Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship. The Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship. In 2018, Grain Millers, Inc. donated an additional $54,000 to the scholarship fund to offer an additional scholarship for an undergraduate milling science student.
The program is designed to recognize the top milling science students at K-State University for their commitment to excellence and achievements.
 IMEF President Randy Garvert (left) presents the IMEF Grain Millers’/Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship to Andrew Kent, who is receiving it for the second time, during a recent Milling Science Club meeting at Kansas State University. |
 IMEF President Randy Garvert (left) presents the second IMEF Grain Millers’/Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship to Andrew Kent during a recent Milling Science Club meeting at Kansas State University. This is the second time Andrew has received this scholarship. |
 IMEF President Randy Garvert (left) presents the IMEF Distinguished Professors’ Scholarship to Brenden Meeks during a recent Milling Science Club meeting at Kansas State University. |
To learn more about Christian F. Kongsore, please visit: The Inspiring Life of Christian F. Kongsore
Introduction
The Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship was established in 2013 by Grain Millers, Inc., through a donation to the International Milling Education Foundation.
Purpose
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to a top-performing student enrolled in the milling science and management program at Kansas State University’s Department of Grain Science and Industry.
Eligibility
The Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship, presented by Grain Millers Inc., will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in milling management, operations or chemistry. All applicants must meet the following requirements.
Applicant must:
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
- Be enrolled as a full-time student in the milling science and management program at Kansas State University.
- Be a junior or senior student for the scholarship period (2nd-semester sophomores may apply for the fall semester of their junior year).
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or higher.
- Submit all required application information by the deadline indicated.
The scholarship may be awarded a maximum of two times to any single applicant. Financial need will not be considered in awarding this scholarship.
The Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship does not discriminate by age, race, color, national origin, disability, creed or gender.
Selection
The recipient will be chosen by a selection committee identified by the IMEF board of trustees. With regard to curriculum major, preference for awards will be given in the following order: milling operations, management and chemistry. The selection committee will determine award recipients by the date of the annual IAOM Conference each year.
Awards
The award will be $2,500. The scholarship will be disbursed in two equal payments, one for each semester of study in an academic year. All awards will be paid directly to Kansas State University on the recipient’s behalf. The recipient will receive notification when the award is made.
Application Information
Applicants must submit the following:
1. Application form
2. Two letters of reference. If applicant has completed an internship, it is strongly recommended that one of the letters be from a supervisor at the company where the internship occurred.
3. Personal Statement, which should include
- Demonstrated timeliness and completion of assignments
- Creativity in solving problems
- Demonstrated responsibility on own initiative
- Ability to work well with others
- Organization skills (ability to handle multiple tasks, time management)
- Participation in class, campus and outside organizations|
- General background information
- Career objective
- Description of any milling related work experience
4. Transcript including course information in grain or milling science (if applicable)
5. Verification of enrollment
Please note: Recipients agree to the release of their name and photo to Grain Millers, Inc., and IAOM/IMEF for publicity purposes.
Recipients are required to submit transcripts to IMEF upon the completion of each semester for the scholarship period. The recipient must maintain the required GPA for the duration of the scholarship.
Deadline
Deadline for application is March 1 for the following fall term.
In addition to the application, please send the supporting materials to:
International Milling Education Foundation
Scholarship Committee
12351 W. 96th Terrace, Suite 100
Lenexa, KS 66215
About Grain Millers, Inc.
For more than 20 years Grain Millers, Inc. has been a leading manufacturer of conventional and organic whole grain ingredients used in cereals, breads, bars and many other products served around the world. These grains include oats, wheat, barley and rye, which we mill into flours, flakes, brans and fibers. Their portfolio of products also includes dairy ingredients such as butter, cheese, cream, and dairy powders such as lactose, whey and buttermilk.
Grain Millers, Inc. sells a variety of specialized ingredients such as organic industrial alcohol, molasses, soy beans, flax and tapioca. Grain Millers, Inc., was co-founded over 25 years ago by Christian F. Kongsore, a graduate of the Kansas State University grain science and industry program.
IMEF Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship Recipients
Brenden expects to graduate in December 2022, with a minor in ag-economics. He has completed internships with Miller Milling, Bunge Milling and will be with Grain Craft in the summer of 2022. He was actively involved in the Milling Science Club, and was a K-State College of Agriculture Ambassador.
While it’s hard attending a college so far away from home, I can say without a doubt that enrolling at Kansas State and majoring in milling science and management has been one of the best decisions of my life.
I want to leave an impact on the world and the milling industry as best I can.
As an out-of-state student, Christine doesn’t qualify for several of the scholarships offered to grain science students. Christine said she appreciates the support as it will help her cover her college expenses and work toward her career goals.
One truly remarkable thing about the milling industry, is how strongly education is supported. It was extremely inspiring to me when I received my Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship and it showed me what kind of industry I was heading into — one that gives back and helps the next in line. As I start my career at Grain Millers, I see this in the company daily. New employees don’t have their questions turned away, but instead are welcomed and helped to grow.
Jodi Roberts was a junior at Kansas State University when she was named as the first recipient of the IMEF Christian F. Kongsore Scholarship. At the time the scholarship was awarded, Jodi was working toward a degree in milling science and management.
Recipients of the IMEF Distinguished Professors’ Scholarship
I have had a passion for learning throughout my entire academic career and I hit the ground running when I got to K-State and I haven’t stopped since. I have found a passion in milling that I never knew I had.
By being involved in multiple activities, I developed strong leadership and communication skills and the desire to give back to my community.
Through the classes, work, undergraduate research, and clubs, Shellenberger Hall has truly become my second home. I find that comforting, knowing I have a place that I can excel, yet still be challenged each day and continue to be encouraged by peers and professors.
Eric is the first recipient of the renamed IMEF Distinguished Professors’ Scholarship (previously the IMEF Scholarship)
Taking a raw material and turning it into something that is used every day and impacts the lives of so many people excites me and makes me want to learn more so one day I can provide a safe and quality product.
Ramsey was working toward his degree in milling science when he received the scholarship.
At the time the scholarship was awarded, Jodi was working toward a degree in milling science and management.
Brad was working toward a degree in milling science and management with a minor in business when he received the IMEF Scholarship.
Brad was working toward a degree in milling science and management with a minor in business when he received the IMEF Scholarship.
Sabrina Reynolds was working toward a degree in milling science and management, with a focus on operations when she received her scholarship.
At the time he received his scholarship, Blake was working toward a degree in milling science, with a focus on operations.
Drew Pettijohn was the first recipient of an IMEF Scholarship. At the time, Pettijohn was working toward his degree in milling science, with a minor in agribusiness.
Recipients of the IMEF Scholarship for Professionals
Alisa used the scholarship to enroll in the IAOM Correspondence Course in Flour Milling.
Kody used the scholarship to enroll in a resident milling course at Kansas State University.
Steve used the scholarship to enroll in a resident milling course at Kansas State University.
Md Abu from Bangladesh used the scholarship to take the IAOM Correspondence Course in Flour Milling.
Ryan used the scholarship to enroll in a resident milling course at Kansas State University.
Dan Ramseyer, Benjamin Ruch and Julie Wavinak were selected as the first recipients of the IMEF Scholarship Program for Professionals. The scholarships provided tuition for all three professionals to take the IAOM Correspondence Course in Flour Milling.