No horsing around
Equine specialists surprise fourth-year student with scholarship award at Vet Town
It seemed like a typical Saturday game day. The Boehringer Ingelheim Auditorium was filled with K-State veterinary alumni, tailgating and mingling prior to the kickoff with the visiting team from Texas Christian University.
Fourth-year student Reaghan Jokovick, who is from Carmel, Indiana, took a break from her clinical current rotation to get some snacks in the auditorium. She soon realized she was a special guest for a surprise announcement.
“This year we wanted to couple this special presentation with other similar activities on campus,” said Dr. Elizabeth Davis, interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “It was K-State Ag Day on the Friday before Vet Town. The day before that, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to dedicate K-State’s brand new Bilbrey Family Event Center [a multispecies event center with a competition arena (rodeo events, etc.)], we chose the theme of ‘Equine Specialty’ for a special scholarship award.”
Equine specialists saddle up to present a special scholarship. From left: Dr. Larry Bramlage '75, Dr. Laurie Beard, award recipient/fourth-year student Reaghan Jokovick, Dr. Katie Delph Miller, Dr. Chris Blevins and Interim Dean Dr. Elizabeth Davis.
Reaghan was presented with a large $10,000 check representing the Excellence in Equine Services Award.
“I was honestly shocked,” Reaghan said. “I never suspected a thing when it came to the surprise! I typically am good at figuring out surprises, but not this one. It was the most amazing feeling and truly one of the best days ever in my veterinary school career.”
Reaghan said the scholarship is appropriately aligned with her educational aspirations.
“I have been interested in equine medicine since I was in high school,” Reaghan said. “I grew up riding horses and knew I always wanted to a pursue a career that involved horses. In high school, I worked and rode at a local barn and loved being around the horses. I was so mesmerized by the veterinarians working on them and quickly realized I wanted to do that one day.
Reaghan works with Marcel, one of the training horses at the Veterinary Health Center.
Reaghan joins other veterinary students at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, where they met a rodeo celebrity. From left: Kaden Strom, Reaghan Jokovich, Shad Mayfield (famous calf roper), Rachel Calame and Marit Wang.
Dr. Davis explained how this award is part of a tradition in the college.
“Annually, there is an opportunity for a student excellence scholarship supported by funds raised in the CVM’s Wildcat Corner gift shop,” Dr. Davis said. “Working with Drs. Katie Delph Miller and Chris Blevins, a selection was made for an outstanding student who has performed at the highest level academically, has a dedicated interest in equine practice and has chosen to pursue a career in equine.”
Once the theme was chosen, picking a recipient was the next step.
“Reaghan exemplifies these qualities in the scholarship criteria,” Dr. Davis said. “She is an Equine Veterinary Practice Certificate student; she has spent time in Lexington, Kentucky, on equine externships; she participated with the Equine Field Service at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo in July; and she recently completed the Advanced Equine Rotation and has applied for an equine internship.”
Reaghan meets Dr. Bramlage, who is an internationally recognized equine orthopedic surgeon and business partner for Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.
Reaghan said the impact of the scholarship perfectly fits her educational and career objectives.
“I am so grateful for this scholarship — it was an amazing feeling to be recognized by the amazing equine faculty for my devotion to equine medicine,” Reaghan said. “I would like to pursue an internship at an equine practice to gain more clinical skills and confidence. After that, I hope to go to an internal medicine residency. This scholarship has helped my confidence grow more and made me realize I am entering the right career path. I was so happy to be surrounded by a few of my friends and the faculty I look up to the most!”
Reaghan carries the CVM flag at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo.
Dr. Davis said a special guest alumnus helped to present the scholarship to Reaghan.
“Having Dr. Larry Bramlage [K-State DVM class of 1975] who is an internationally recognized equine orthopedic surgeon and business partner for Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on site was a unique opportunity for this scholarship offering,” Dr. Davis said. “We were able to celebrate the specialty of equine services in a big way and congratulate Reaghan on all of her academic success!”
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