MSU Foundation announces new scholarship for pre-veterinary students in partnership with the Humane Society of Marshall County

MURRAY, Ky. – The Humane Society of Marshall County and the Murray State University Foundation established a new scholarship for students of Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University.

The Humane Society of Marshall County has pledged to contribute annually to this scholarship fund, and they invite the public to join them in contributing in order to support students from the local area who are preparing to become veterinarians. The scholarship is called the Humane Society of Marshall County Pre-Veterinary Medicine Scholarship.

Murray State juniors, seniors and graduate students from Murray State’s 18-county service region who are studying pre-veterinary medicine are eligible to apply. Students should also have demonstrated their passion for animals by volunteering or working at a humane society, animal shelter, veterinary clinic, farm or other site where they helped with caring for animals. The Humane Society of Marshall County hopes the recipients will return home and serve the western Kentucky region after vet school.

The scholarship was awarded for the first time for the 2024-2025 academic year at Murray State with three recipients: Madeline Adams of Mayfield, Kentucky; Mia Jaco of Benton, Kentucky; and Madison Moryl, also of Benton.

“We were so touched by how the Murray State pre-veterinary students helped our humane society so much during the tragedy of the December 2021 tornado, when we were trying to help so many animals that suddenly needed a home. We wanted to do something to give back to those Murray State students and support their passion for animals and their life goals of going into the veterinary profession. We are thrilled to be able to make this scholarship possible,” said Ruth Brown, treasurer of the Humane Society of Marshall County. “We are also delighted to have a Murray State pre-vet student as one of our employees. Madison Brooks (of Benton) is able to manage a full-time class schedule while working for the Humane Society full-time, too. She has been an exemplary employee and we would encourage other pre-vet students to visit our facility, volunteer and maybe find a part-time job.”

The Humane Society of Marshall County and the Murray State University Foundation invite the public to join them in supporting students who are studying to devote their lives to working with animals by contributing to this new scholarship.

“We are so grateful for the collaborative efforts between our Pre-Veterinary Medicine students and the Humane Society of Marshall County after the devastating tornadoes. The students who volunteered their time and talents to assist those in need, by their own initiative, deserve to be celebrated and recognized. We deeply thank the Humane Society of Marshall County for doing just that; they are reflecting that kindness and compassion to our pre-vet department for years to come. We plan to continue to work with them in the future, as the humane society has shown that they value and invest in our students,” said Dr. Laura Ken Hoffman, department head for veterinary technology/pre-veterinary medicine.

For more information about the Humane Society of Marshall County Pre-Veterinary Medicine Scholarship and how to contribute, please contact Abby Hensley, Director of Development for the Hutson School of Agriculture, at ahensley2@murraystate.edu or 270-809-3131.