K-State veterinary students receive Army Health Professions Scholarships

Two Kansas State University veterinary students joined the ranks of scholarship recipients in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps under the Army Health Professions Scholarship Program.

Samantha Rice, first-year student, Tega Cay, South Carolina; and Henry DeWitt, first-year student, Lawrence; were selected for this program. The health professions scholarship pays 100% of the tuition for a graduate-level health care degree at any accredited medical, dental, veterinary, psychology or optometry program in the United States or Puerto Rico.

First-year students Samantha Rice and Henry DeWitt are the most K-State DVM students to be accepted into the Army's Health Professions Scholarship Program.

“We are proud to support our students who are pursuing military careers during veterinary classes and after graduation,” said Dr. James Roush, associate dean of academic programs and student success. “The Health Professions Scholarship Program is a monumental benefit to its student recipients who then can focus on their veterinary and military training without incurring significant educational debt along that path.”

Samantha's father, a retired officer, administers the oath as part of a hybrid live/virtual ceremony from the Gerald A. Rudisill Army National Guard Readiness Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"My interest in the military started at a young age, since I grew up in a military family,” Samantha said. “I've always had an interest in serving in the military and heard about the Veterinary Corps in high school. I thought it would be a great opportunity to serve my country while also fulfilling my passion for veterinary medicine."

Rice’s father, a retired Army officer, administered the military oath to his daughter at a special virtual ceremony held at the Gerald A. Rudisill Army National Guard Readiness Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. DeWitt took his oath in the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Auditorium in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Henry takes the oath in the meeting area of the BI Auditorium.

“I have wanted to join the Army Veterinary Corps since I began seriously considering a career in veterinary medicine when I was a middle schooler,” Henry said. “I come from a long line of Army officers, and it would mean a lot to carry on that tradition. Following veterinary college, I want to work with small animal and exotic pets, hopefully in a big city, but my ultimate goal is to live day by day and do what sounds fun.”

The scholarship also pays for full tuition for up to four years, required books, equipment and most academic fees, and includes a monthly stipend of $2,608 and a sign-on bonus of up to $20,000. During school breaks, students receive officer's pay while training. After graduation, the students enter active duty and advance in rank to captain. One year of active-duty service is required for each year the students receive the scholarship with a minimum obligation of three years.