Bixby native named Top Ten OSU Ag Senior

She was officially recognized during April 4 ceremonies in which CASNR officials presented $434,100 in scholarships and awards to many of the college’s best and brightest, part of $967,075 in scholarships that CASNR and its academic departments will present to OSU agriculture students for the 2008-2009 school year.

The home-schooled daughter of Bixby’s Ted and Tricia Davis, she will graduate in May with a major in animal science, pre-veterinary medicine option. She is the granddaughter of Carl and Awanda Carnahan and Lillian Large.

Davis said her undergraduate education at OSU has been “one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences” of her life, and has provided her with an excellent foundation for a successful career in veterinary medicine.

She was awarded both the Niblack Research Scholarship and Lew Wentz Research Scholarship – counted among the more prestigious scholarships awarded to students at OSU – two years in a row.

“Since coming to OSU in 2004, my forte has proven to be research,” Davis said. “Ironically, I never thought I would have anything to do with research before I began college.”

The 22-year-old Bixby native completed two research projects with OSU veterinarian Dr. Charles MacAllister and worked on a still-in-progress project with veterinarians Dr. Kenneth Bartels and Dr. Zachary Ricker.

She is currently finishing an honor’s thesis that may be published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Other collegiate activities have included membership in the OSU Horseman’s Club, OSU Pre-Vet Club and student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Phi Kappa Phi, the oldest and largest collegiate honor society dedicated to the recognition and promotion of academic excellence, awarded her membership into the organization this past year. She also was admitted into the prestigious Gamma Sigma Delta honor society this past year.

Davis is a member of the Veterinary Business Management Association, American College of Veterinary Pathologists, American Association of Feline Practitioners and American Animal Hospital Association.

The Bixby native’s professional association affiliation is a reflection of her participation in a three-in-one program through the OSU department of animal science.

“Technically, I’m an undergraduate senior and a first-year veterinary student” she said, citing that the combination makes life somewhat fast-paced but very fulfilling.

Qualifying students who are accepted into OSU’s College of Veterinary Health Sciences in their senior year use their first year of veterinary medicine school to complete their final year of undergraduate degree requirements.

The OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources places a great emphasis on celebrating the accomplishments of students, said Ed Miller, DASNR associate dean of academic programs.

“Awards for leadership and academic performance and the presentation of scholarships build pride in our students and their families, the faculty, donors and other supporters of the college and the division as a whole,” he said.

DASNR is comprised of the college and two statewide agencies: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

“The exceptional amount of scholarship support we are able to award students to further their education would not be possible without the generosity of our many donors, who recognize the value of the division’s teaching, research and Extension programs,” Miller said.

The college provides 16 majors and more than 40 study options to students interested in pursuing a career in science, business, education, engineering, technology development, natural resources or communications. Prospective students can uncover and explore opportunities through CASNR at http://www.casnr.com on the Internet.

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
News and Media Relations Manager
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: donald.stotts@okstate.edu

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