Katie Seabaugh, a senior in Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been awarded a $2,500 scholarship from the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Livestock Insurance Company.
Seabaugh is one of only eight AAEP scholarship recipients nationwide and is the first to receive this scholarship at WSU since 2000. Each of the nation’s 28 veterinary colleges can only nominate one senior student for the scholarship.
“I was surprised and pleased to receive the scholarship; it validates all the hard work I’ve put in here for the last four years,” said Seabaugh. She said she will use the funds to pay for her educational needs. One need she pointed out is the cost of professional books that can run as much as $500 per semester in the senior year.
“Katie is a remarkable student and one of our very best,” said Gil Burns, associate dean for academic and student affairs. “She is certainly deserving of this award and we are very proud of her accomplishments.”
Scholarship applicants are required to write two essays. The first should explain why the nominee wants to enter equine practice and specifically answer the question, “What single event most influenced your decision to enter equine medicine?”
The second essay should explain why the applicant is deserving of the award and specifically answer the questions, “What characteristics do you believe distinguish you from other applicants?” and “What do you intend to have accomplished in equine practice five to ten years from now?”
A Kalispell, Mont., native, Seabaugh intends to focus her career on surgical care of horses. After graduation this May, she will move on to an internship at Pioneer Equine Hospital in Oakdale, Calif. From there she hopes to land an equine surgical residency position at one of the nation’s veterinary colleges.
