Kailey Kulhanek Awarded Frank Perdue Scholarship Student of the Year

During the recent USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program, held in conjunction with the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), Kailey Kulhanek from Texas A&M University was honored with the prestigious Frank Perdue Scholarship Student of the Year. This scholarship symbolizes Frank Perdue’s deep commitment to mentoring young talent in the poultry sector. Perdue was a long-standing advocate for the College Student Career Program and actively participated in student interviews for many years.

Recognitions and Awards

Alongside Kailey, Maggie Love from North Carolina State University (NC State) secured second place, while Melissa Babinecz from the University of Florida took home the third place honor.

Kevin McDaniel, President and CEO of Wayne-Sanderson Farms and Treasurer for the USPOULTRY Board of Directors, expressed his admiration for the participants, stating, “We were incredibly impressed by the depth and quality of applicants for this year’s Student of the Year. It’s exciting to see the program continue to expand, creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of leaders in the poultry and egg industry.”

Club of the Year and Scrapbook Contests

In addition to the Student of the Year honors, students also participated in the Club of the Year and Scrapbook of the Year contests. This year, NC State was awarded the Club of the Year, honoring the club’s year-long activities and commitment to community engagement. Ohio State University secured the second place, while Pennsylvania State University earned third place accolades.

Moreover, NC State shined once again by winning first place in the Scrapbook of the Year contest, showcasing their vibrant history and active participation in the poultry community.

About the USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program

The USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program is recognized as a premier event that fuels talent recruitment within the poultry industry. Over the course of three dynamic days, companies engage directly with outstanding students from across the nation, facilitating interviews, networking, and career-building opportunities all under one roof. For more than 50 years, this program has played a crucial role in ensuring a strong talent pipeline for the industry, helping to cultivate future leaders and launching numerous successful careers in the poultry and egg sectors.

For more details, visit the official announcement by the US Poultry & Egg Association.