Six students in the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine have been chosen for the state’s largest veterinary scholarship program, including a Wamego student.
The university says Laura Carpenter, of Wamego, is among the students selected for the Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas. Upon completion of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, each student is required to work at a full-time veterinary practice in one of the 92 Kansas counties with fewer than 40,000 residents. For each year the student works in rural Kansas, up to $25,000 per year of qualifying student loans are forgiven over a period of four years.
“The VTPRK continues to serve a critical role by supporting access to quality veterinary care in the rural parts of Kansas,” said Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush. “This year’s scholars follow in the footsteps of a dedicated group of professionals who have built lasting, meaningful careers across the state. Current and former VTPRK recipients have built a strong community of support to promote success in rural practice.”
Carpenter’s family operates Downey Ranch in Wamego.
The other new recipients are Leah Mailand, of Paola; Mallory Beltz, of Sterling; Tara Ellenz, of Tipton; Kayley Geesling, of Turon; and Whitney Leiblie, of Udall. All are first year veterinary students.
