WSU veterinary students awarded national bovine scholarships

Washington State University veterinary students Bailey Bailey and Chance Marsh were each recognized with competitive scholarships Sept. 13 at the 58th annual Conference of American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

Bailey was one of 10 veterinary students in the U.S. and Canada to earn the Dr. Harold E. Amstutz scholarship, while Marsh was a recipient of the 2025 Merck Student Recognition Award.

Amid a shortage of large animal veterinarians in the United States, both scholarships aim to support students in veterinary school who demonstrate the character, knowledge, experience, motivation and potential to become outstanding bovine veterinarians.

Both scholarships aim to support students in veterinary school who demonstrate the character, knowledge, experience, motivation and potential to become outstanding bovine veterinarians.

The $11,500 Amstutz scholarship is awarded to outstanding students working toward careers in bovine veterinary practice and is meant to provide students with unique educational experiences to maximize their preparation for bovine practice.

"I look at this as a true blessing in my life. This scholarship is a high honor for anyone going into bovine medicine," Bailey said. "As a recipient, I hope to make the AABP and Amstutz scholarship committee proud as I progress in my career. I hope to give back to this organization by continuing to be an active member of AABP and one day serving on the scholarship's committee."

The $10,000 Merck Student Recognition Award was earned by nine students in the U.S. and Canada this year, including Marsh, which marks at least the sixth consecutive year a WSU student has claimed the scholarship. Emma Sells, who will be graduating in May, earned the scholarship last year. In 2023, three WSU veterinary students took home the award.

"Receiving the Merck student recognition award is a huge honor for me, and I am extremely grateful to receive this award that will help me continue my journey to becoming a bovine veterinarian," Marsh said. "Veterinary school is expensive and scholarships like this help alleviate the financial burden that it brings."