Lauren Kerber of Bangor, Mich. is the 2016-17 recipient of the Harold and Lillian Gremel endowed scholarship through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Inc. at Michigan State University. The $4,000 scholarship is named in honor of Harold and in memory of Lillian Gremel of Sebewaing. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student currently in veterinary school at MSU who completed the Production Animal Scholars Program in the MSU Department of Animal Science.
Kerber, the daughter of Tom and April Kerber, received the award based on her academic achievements, involvement in extracurricular activities, and interest in pursuing a career as a large animal practitioner. In addition to her enrollment at MSU, she has taken classes at Lake Michigan College, and has been active in both the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science in December 2012. Kerber is currently a fourth-year veterinary student and expects to graduate in May with a doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine.
Kerber completed multiple externships through the College of Veterinary Medicine, working with Carthage Veterinary Services in Carthage, Ill., Airport Animal Clinic in Cadillac, Green Meadows Farm in Ovid and Meadowview Veterinary Services in Carson City. She also completed a summer fellowship program with the Cleveland Equine Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, where she handled and restrained horses, conducted physical examinations, administered medicine, obtained radiographs, practiced ultra-sounding of limbs, and aided during medical procedures.
The Harold and Lillian Gremel endowed scholarship was established in 2007 by the Gremel family. Together during their 52 years of marriage, the Huron County dairy producers and lifetime industry supporters were past recipients of the West Huron Michigan Milk Producers Assn. Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, honored as the MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Couple, and chosen as the MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year. Harold also served on the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation board of directors. The Gremel endowed scholarship was the first Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation scholarship designed for veterinary students.
For information on making contributions to honor members of the dairy industry or to support student scholarships, contact the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources external relations at 517/355-0284. To learn more about the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, contact Miriam Weber Nielsen in the MSU Department of Animal Science at 517/432-5443.