CVM Student Awarded
AVMF Scholarship

MU College of Veterinary Medicine student Kelvin Urday is among 21 students nationwide selected to receive an American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) scholarship. In choosing Urday for the $1,000 award, the AVMF cited his interest in providing public health medicine and disaster relief care in underserved communities.

Urday is in his third year of the four-year curriculum at the college. A Dallas, Texas native, he came to Columbia as an undergraduate and earned a degree in animal science. His interest in providing veterinary assistance during disasters started as an undergraduate when he helped with post-Hurricane Katrina recovery in New Orleans.

While he plans to enter a mixed animal practice after graduation from the CVM, he will also work part time with the Missouri Volunteer Veterinary Corps as a district coordinator. In that capacity, he will train other veterinarians and coordinate disaster relief. In accepting a previous scholarship, Urday committed to working with the Veterinary Corps for three years after graduation. He said he is interested in helping disaster victims who are companion animal owners reunite with their pets as well as helping keep the public safe in the event of an event that has an impact on the supply of food animals or leads to water contamination.

Urday said he appreciate the AVMF award for encouraging students to explore professional careers in underserved areas and non-traditional fields.

“There is such a need for some areas and there is a need for organizations and corporations to support public health and disaster relief,” he said.

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