ALEXANDRIA, VA. — The North American Renderers Association (NARA) announced Ava Goodpasture of the University of Hawaiʻi as the inaugural recipient of the association’s Owen Vickers Memorial Scholarship.

Established earlier this year in memory of longtime rendering industry leader T. Owen Vickers, Sr., a third-generation leader of Birmingham Hide & Tallow Co. (BHT ReSources), the scholarship supports students pursuing higher education while honoring Vickers’ longstanding commitment to the rendering industry and investing in future generations. The recipient receives $2,500 per year for two years, for a total scholarship award of $5,000.

“Owen believed the rendering industry’s future depends on the people who come after us. Establishing this scholarship in his name is a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life building a family business, strengthening our industry, and quietly investing in the next generation,” said Michael Glenn, chief executive officer and president of BHT ReSources. “We are proud that Ava is the inaugural recipient. Her family’s multi-generational connection to rendering makes this award especially meaningful. On behalf of everyone at BHT ReSources, we congratulate Ava and wish her every success as she continues her studies.”

Goodpasture is currently a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she is pursuing a degree in Business Management – Human Resources. She anticipates graduating in 2029.

“Receiving this scholarship means so much because rendering has been a part of my family for three generations,” Goodpasture said. “My parents personally knew Owen Vickers, which makes being the inaugural recipient even more special, and I’m grateful to carry that connection forward as I continue my education and work toward my future.”

Read more news from associations and agencies in the pet food sector.

Get better pet food industry search results.

Adding us tells Google to prioritize Pet Food Processing stories.