Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President Mike McCormick and Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine staff recently selected two veterinary students as the 2021 MFBF David Waide Veterinary Scholarship recipients.

Josh Vowell of Taylorsville and Kimberly Klunk of Pike County were awarded the scholarship.

Vowell grew up raising nearly every species of livestock, prompting him to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

“Feeding pigs, gathering eggs and breaking show calves is how I spent my childhood,” Vowell said. “I have to give credit to my upbringing for helping mold me into who I am today. Being raised around livestock and growing up in a Christian home, life values, morals, and ethics were established and the seeds for responsibility and integrity were planted. These virtues are something I hold on to and lead my life with. A personal goal in life I have is to pass down these principles as my parents did to me and many other individuals.”

After graduation, Vowell will be returning to Taylorsville to work at a mixed animal practice where he plans to expand the large animal section of the practice. 

“Thank you again for your support and donation as it will go to a good purpose,” he said.

Klunk also developed a love for animals at an earlier age.

“I was raised on a small farm with registered angus cattle, quarter horses, goats, and various other rescued dogs, cats, and more,” Klunk said. “At the age of nine, I began participating in the Pike County 4-H program showing cattle. I graduated high school from Parklane Academy. Following high school, I attended Millsaps College where I received a Bachelor of Sciences in Biology. While at Millsaps, I was also a member of the women’s basketball team where I helped lead my team to two regular season SAA Conference Championships. In 2017, I began veterinary school at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. My dream has finally become a reality and I am graduating veterinary school!”

Following graduation, Klunk will be staying in Starkville at MSU-CVM for a large animal internship. She intends to use the skills she learns throughout the internship to add large animal services to her mother’s small animal practice in McComb.

“I hope to be able to give back to not only the agricultural community, but also the community that raised me,” she said.