December 22, 2021
Trio of veterinary students among scholarship winners at Kansas Livestock Association Convention
Three Kansas State University veterinary students were among 29 scholarship winners statewide recognized at the annual Kansas Livestock Association Convention Dec. 1 in Wichita. A total of $30,000 was presented by the Kansas Livestock Foundation and its partners.
Third-year student Brooke Falk, Harveyville, and second-year student Michaela Musselman, Clifton, each received a $1,500 Cartridges for Cash Scholarship that is designated for veterinary students.
First-year student Chelsey Bieberle, Bushton, was one of five students awarded with a $1,000 Altosid IGR Scholarships. This scholarship is awarded to any student entering their junior or senior year, graduate or veterinary school at Kansas State University or Fort Hays State University and pursuing a degree in agriculture. Preference will be given to students majoring in animal sciences and industry with a career goal of being actively engaged in livestock production or veterinary services.
"I am very honored to have received a KLF Merck Cartridges for Cash Scholarship," Falk said. "I have always had a passion for working with livestock and this scholarship will help me to pursue my interests in large animal medicine. I hope to one day work in either a mixed or large animal clinic in rural Kansas. I am very grateful to the Kansas Livestock Foundation for presenting me this scholarship."
"Scholarship support helps me to focus more on my education and not have to stress about how I am going to pay for it," Bieberle said. "After veterinary school, I would like to work at a mixed animal clinic and eventually buy into or own a clinic. Scholarship support allows me to keep my loan amounts down so I am able to achieve this goal."
Musselman said she also hopes to practice in a mixed animal clinic after she graduates. She wants to focus on beef cattle production medicine.
"Large animal veterinarians are important for serving rural Kansas livestock producers and these Kansas Livestock Association scholarships are really valuable to support and encourage veterinary students," said Brad White, professor of production medicine and director of the Beef Cattle Institute at K-State.
The Kansas Livestock Foundation was established in 1983 to operate solely and exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes.
The Kansas Livestock Association is a trade organization protecting the business interests of independent ranchers, feeders and dairy farmers. Members of the association are involved in all segments of the livestock industry, including cow-calf production, backgrounding, cattle feeding, swine, dairy and sheep. The association's work is funded by voluntary dues paid by its 5,700 members.