Receiving a scholarship from the Community Foundation of Jackson County last year brought a surprise for a Purdue University student in the veterinary science program.
“The contribution you have made is greatly appreciated to help continue my education,” said Kelley Sharp, a 2015 graduate of Seymour High School. “I was able to attend the Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians and Reptiles Symposium in November and do a wet lab both days. I am also using your contribution to help me continue my education at the 2020 Purdue Veterinary Medicine South Africa Wildlife Group Program with the Umkhondo Big5 Wildlife Park.”
Sharp was the 2019 recipient of a grant from the Jackson County Veterinary Scholarship Fund, one of more than 50 scholarship funds administered by the foundation.
“I am very excited to work with animals and have new experiences that I cannot achieve on campus,” Sharp said of the opportunities made possible with the scholarship, which was established in 2010 by Dr. Ron Harrison of Brownstown. “I will be able to immerse myself with wildlife native to Africa. I am beyond excited to be surrounded with animals I am passionate about.”
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Dream come true
“I told my parents when I was 5 years old (that) I wanted to go to Purdue to become a veterinarian,” Sharp said. “When I received the call, my dream became a reality. Purdue has felt like home. I was raised a Boilermaker, and my heart belongs here. I chose Purdue to study veterinary medicine because I know I will receive a great education and experiences in a smaller class size that will allow me to become the best veterinarian I can be for my patients.”
The Jackson County Veterinary Scholarship Fund was created to provide scholarships to students pursuing doctorate of veterinary medicine degrees at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue. Preference is given to students who are graduates of any high school in Jackson County. Other criteria include financial need and academic achievement. The Office of Advancement of the School of Veterinary Medicine recommends recipients of the scholarship to the foundation.
Harrison started the fund as a means of giving back.
“My career in vet medicine has been very rewarding because I have been able to help people and the animals in their lives,” Harrison said. “I decided to support local kids going to veterinary school because I wanted to help lower the tremendous expense of school and to help offset some of the hardships they face so they too could experience this rewarding career.”
Harrison and Dr. Larry Sunbury, who died this past November, have been faithful donors to the Jackson County Veterinary Scholarship Fund.
“Larry loved being a veterinarian and enjoyed mentoring students interested in veterinary medicine while he practiced,” Sunbury’s wife, Joanne, said of the couple’s support of the scholarship fund. “This included their observing at the clinic and going on farm calls.”
Upon retirement, Sunbury found he could further encourage such students by supporting the Jackson County Veterinary Scholarship Fund, she added. The family understands the financial strain of veterinary school.
“Two of our sons became veterinarians at Purdue, so we were aware of the debt facing them in pursuing that career,” Joanne said. “We strongly support this scholarship to help students achieve this rewarding profession.”
During this current school year, Sharp has joined the Exotics Club, International Veterinary Medicine Club, Emergency and Critical Care and Veterinary Business Management Association. She was elected as a curriculum committee representative for the Class of 2023 and recently attended MOARR and had what she described as an amazing time.
“I got to listen and learn from incredible professionals in the aquatics and reptile fields and multiple zoo veterinarians,” Sharp added. “I was able to participate in an emergency and critical care of reptiles’ wet lab and a shark and ray necropsy wet lab.”
Sharp plans to attend the Student American Veterinary Medical Association Symposium at Cornell University in March.
Looking ahead
The foundation’s motto is “Together we grow tomorrows.”
The Jackson County Veterinary Scholarship — and other grants from the foundation — help do that every year.
“My dream career goal is to become a veterinarian at an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums zoo and American College of Zoological Medicine board certified,” Sharp said, indicating what tomorrow holds for her. “This summer, I’m going to be studying abroad in South Africa to gain experience with exotic animals I would typically see in a zoo. I’m very excited and hope this will help me become a step closer to reaching my goal.”
Harrison said seeing students benefit from the scholarship is rewarding.
“Students like Ms. Sharp are examples of what our community can provide, and we must support this in every way possible,” he said.
For information about starting a new scholarship fund or perhaps a community fund or how to make a donation to any of the more than 200 funds administered by the foundation, please contact us at 812-523-4483, or stop by the office at 107 Community Drive in Seymour.
Dan Davis is president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation of Jackson County. Send comments to [email protected].