PTIS Endowed Scholarship - Recipients

Andrew Uthoff

2011 Recipient

Andrew Uthoff is a senior at Michigan State University.  He is from Rockford, MI, just outside of Grand Rapids.   He has had an internship with the Sara Lee Corp. in Chicago and has another one coming up summer 2011 at Amway in Grand Rapids.  Andrew says, “I switched my major to packaging when I was a sophomore and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  The reason I love packaging so much is because it is the perfect mix of engineering and business.  Currently I am interested in pursuing a career in food packaging but after my internship this summer with cosmetics my mind could change!  I would like to thank PTIS for my scholarship and for supporting the Michigan State School of Packaging.”

Kim Davey

2008 Recipient

I am currently a senior graduating in July 2009 with degrees in Packaging and Marketing. I have done an internship with Kraft Foods in Tarrytown, New York and I have been a Resident Assistant at Michigan State for three years. I enjoy helping and interacting with people. My personal interests include waterskiing, snow skiing, traveling, swimming, running, reading, and spending time with family and friends. I have enjoyed my four years at Michigan State and I am now looking forward to an interesting and exciting career in Packaging.

Jacob Agans

2008 Recipient

I am very grateful to PTIS for their interest in contributing to my education in the study of Packaging at Michigan State University. While studying packaging, I have interned with Gerber Products Company, and I am currently interning at Pira International. Both of these work experiences have been instrumental in my development toward becoming a Packaging Professional. The link between classroom and hands-on experience in industry has been the key component for me in understanding and learning about packaging.

I am very excited about my future in the packaging industry. I enjoy food packaging, and I would also like to gain exposure to other industries such as medical, pharmaceutical, and electronics. After graduation, I plan to work in industry for 2-3 years. Then I would like to pursue a Masters in Packaging or a Masters in Business Administration. With the MSU campus in Dubai opening a Master?s in Packaging program, I am very eager to learn more about the program, as well as the MSU campus there.

My career goal is to eventually own a business in the packaging industry in either consulting or a small packaging supplies company. I also like to entertain the idea of one day becoming a professor and teaching the Packaging Professionals of the future what I have learned in my experiences. I know my hard work and motivation will help me to succeed in college and in my future career as a packaging professional.

Stephanie Gustafson

2007 Recipient

Stephanie Gustafson, enrolled at the School of Packaging at Michigan State University, is our 2007 recipient. In January 2007 she began the first of two internships, one with Kraft Foods in New York, and then with Kraft in Melbourne, Australia. Brian had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie and her great parents before she departed, and they talked about the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead for packaging professionals.

Upon receiving the scholarship, Stephanie wrote, "Your support of my hard work and dedication means a great deal to me. The award has encouraged me to further apply myself and reach for higher goals both educationally and professionally. In my efforts to gain knowledge and experience of packaging at Michigan State University this scholarship serves as an energizing boost to continue whole heartedly towards success....I have a great passion for packaging and look forward to my future endeavors. My family is very proud and is so appreciative of [PTIS] support, recognition, and financial aid. I am excited to think of the opportunities and possibilities in the field of packaging. Your scholarship adds to this excitement for which I am most grateful. Thank you again for your kindness."

Keep up the great work, Stephanie.

Farren Detrick

2006 Recipient

Farren Detrick was the first recipient of the PTIS Endowed Scholarship. Farren received this scholarship while a junior in the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. While at Michigan State, Farren had internships with Kraft Foods and Syngenta Crop Protection.

We came to know Farren through her extensive involvement at the School of Packaging, including her work as vice president and president in the student chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) and her activity in Pi Kappa Gamma, an honorary packaging society. Farren says, "I have been fortunate to represent the undergraduate student body on several committees such as the packaging alumni board, new head director search committee, faculty advisory and curriculum committees." In addition to her volunteer work, she has worked in the radio frequency identification (RFID) lab under the supervision of Dr. Robb Clarke. Farren has a real appreciation for the value of packaging across the value chain, and said she "looks forward to what the future entails in [her] packaging career."

Kristin Talpos

 2010 Recipient

Talpos graduates in spring 2010 and already has a start on her packaging career with a job with Estee Lauder that begins after graduation. She demonstrated the career commitment the award requires, having had two internships with major corporations during her studies at MSU. She also hopes to earn an MBA.

Kelsey Johnson

2010 Recipient

Johnson, a junior, completed a packaging study abroad program in Spain (summer 2009) where she saw to many exciting aspects of packaging that are not experienced in the classroom.  Her career goal is to work on the consumer side of packaging.

Miranda McKinnon

2010 Recipient

McKinnon is a Junior majoring in packaging and will graduate in the spring of 2011. In 2009, she studied abroad in England, and is currently secretary of Pi Kappa Gamma, the packaging honorary fraternity and has an internship lined up for this summer.