Colleen Potter is recipient of Cotter Endowed Scholarship from the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation for 2018-19
Print
EmailZeeland native was chosen for outstanding academic achievement, involvement in dairy industry
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Colleen Potter, of Zeeland, Mich., has been chosen as the 2018-19 recipient of the Redmond (“Red”) and Edna Cotter endowed scholarship through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Inc. (MDMSF) at Michigan State University (MSU). She was chosen to receive the $4,000 scholarship based on her outstanding academic achievements and involvement in the dairy industry.
Potter is a Grand Valley State University graduate and in her second year of veterinary school at MSU. She was a recipient of the 2018 AABP Amstutz scholarship, which identifies and supports the most superior students in their second year of veterinary school who demonstrate the character, knowledge, experience, motivation, and potential for becoming outstanding bovine veterinarians in North America in the 21st century. Potter has worked as a farmhand on Raterink Dairy Farm, completed an externship focusing on bovine veterinary and management services through Zoetis and interned at Merck Animal Health through an MSU Food Systems Fellowship. She is also involved with numerous clubs in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, the committee head of MSU Vet-A-Visit, a member of the award-winning MSU Archery Team and an Ottawa County 4-H leader.
“I have found my purpose in helping farmers not only make a living for themselves, but to provide a safe food supply for our communities,” Potter said. “I want to pursue a career solely in dairy medicine and work to improve the field as it changes rapidly, helping to find new ways to take on the challenges facing the industry today.”
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, Mr. 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. She graduated from Michigan State College (MSC) in the 1930’s, and 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 $100,000 in scholarships to 25 MSU students pursuing dairy industry-related programs of study for the 2018-19 academic year.
For information about making contributions to honor members of the dairy industry or to support student scholarships, please contact the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources External Relations at 517-355-0284. To learn more about the MDMSF, contact Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen in the MSU Department of Animal Science at 517-432-5443.
