Kansas State University veterinary student wins prestigious $75,000 equine medicine scholarship
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Fourth-year Kansas State University veterinary student Jenni Wright is one of only two students nationwide to be chosen this year for a $75,000 Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarship. Her long-term goal is to practice as a board-certified equine surgeon and research exercise and muscle physiology in performance horses. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — A Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine student is one of two nationwide winners of a prestigious $75,000 scholarship for students who intend to pursue an equine-focused veterinary practice career following graduation.
Jenni Wright, Hope, who is entering her fourth year in Kansas State University's Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, is the recipient of the Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarship, which is administered by the American Quarter Horse Foundation. The scholarship was created by Penny Knight, owner of Coyote Rock Ranch in Hillsboro, Oregon.
"From the time I was 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian," Wright said. "My long-term goal is to practice as a board-certified equine surgeon and research exercise and muscle physiology in performance horses."
Along with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, Wright is also working on a master's degree in biomedical science. She has been a participant in the Basic Research Immersion Training Experience, or BRITE, program in the College of Veterinary Medicine, which provides research-oriented Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students with a subsidized, in-depth, mentored research experience. The opportunity can be used to gain research experience, to obtain a master's degree, or to jump-start work toward a doctoral program.
"As a BRITE scholar, I really think the research work I've done is what helped me compete for this scholarship," Wright said.
"This is a very significant scholarship award, particularly in the amount of the award and the small number of students who are selected each year," said Ronnie Elmore, associate dean for academic programs, admissions and diversity programs in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "We are very proud to have a Kansas State University student selected for this award, and we definitely appreciate the support of veterinary education by the Coyote Rock Ranch and American Quarter Horse Foundation."
Ideal candidates for the Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarship are students enrolled at an American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited college of veterinary medicine in the United States or Canada whose studies are equine-focused and who have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average. While preference is given to students with American quarter horse involvement, students with significant equine involvement or experience with other breeds or disciplines are also encouraged to apply.
