Allegan resident receives 2017-2018 Cotter endowed scholarship from the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation

May 25, 2018

Meggan Freeland has been chosen as the 2017-2018 recipient of the Redmond (“Red”) and Edna Cotter endowed scholarship.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Meggan Freeland, of Allegan, Michigan, has been chosen as the 2017-2018 recipient of the Redmond (“Red”) and Edna Cotter endowed scholarship through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, Inc., at Michigan State University (MSU). This $4,000 scholarship is named in honor of Red Cotter, an inspirational dairy industry leader and respected motivator of sales and marketing executives, and his wife, Edna.

Freeland received the award on the basis of her academic achievements, involvement in extracurricular activities and interest in pursuing a career in bovine veterinary medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree in 2013 after completing the Production Animal Scholars Program in the Department of Animal Science. She is currently attending the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, where she plans to obtain her D.V.M. degree in 2019. Throughout her time at Michigan State, she has been involved the MSU Block and Bridle Club, Theriogenology Club, Food Animal Club and American Veterinary Medical Association. She was also a member of the MSU cross-country and track teams during her undergraduate years.

Freeland has been employed at various locations, including Fleming Dairy Farm, the MSU Swine Farm, Oakdale Large Animal Clinic, Rich-Ro Dairy Farm, Schaendorf Dairy Farm, Alta Genetics, Zoetis, Boerhinger Ingelheim Swine Veterinary Services and Countryside Veterinary Services. Experiences in these positions have helped ready her for the veterinary medicine field.

The Redmond (“Red”) and Edna Cotter endowed scholarship honors the Cotter couple and their many contributions to the dairy industry. A 1937 graduate of MSU, Red Cotter was employed for 43 years as a sales manager for Ralston Purina, covering Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Upon his retirement, he served as a guest lecturer in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Edna Cotter’s MSU roots stem back to the beginning: she was born on a farm on what is now the MSU Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, and she graduated from Michigan State College (MSC) in the 1930s. She was a generous supporter of the Redmond and Edna Cotter Agribusiness Scholarship Fund, the MSU Intercollegiate Athletics Fund, and the Carrigan Chair for Feline Health in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to 35 MSU students pursuing dairy industry-related programs of study for the 2017-2018 academic year.

For information on making contributions to honor members of the dairy industry or to support student scholarships, please contact 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 Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen in the MSU Department of Animal Science at 517-432-5443.