Jared Sanderson receives Donald and Valera Murray Scholarship from Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation for 2018-19
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Email$4,000 scholarship will assist with education expenses for veterinary school
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Jared Sanderson, of Sandusky, Mich., was chosen as the 2018-19 recipient of the Donald and Valera Murray Scholarship through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, Inc., (MDMSF) at Michigan State University (MSU). The scholarship provides $4,000 to recipients to assist with education expenses.
Sanderson graduated from MSU this past May 2019. Equipped with a degree in animal science, he is looking forward to beginning classes at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall. Sanderson, the son of Mike and Pattie Sanderson, was selected for the Donald and Valera Murray Scholarship based on his academic achievements, involvement in extracurricular activities and interest in pursuing a career in the dairy industry.
“I love the dairy industry and the people that make it up,” Sanderson said. “I cannot wait for the day that I can take my place among those who have helped me so that I can start to contribute to the progression and evolution of the dairy industry.”
While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Sanderson immersed himself in various practical learning environments in the dairy industry: conducting transition cow trials as a feed sales intern at Purina Animal Nutrition by taking blood samples and monitoring feed management; gaining research experience as an undergraduate assistant in the dairy nutrition lab of Dr. Mike Vandehaar; and feeding and processing calves as a farm laborer and calf manager at Weaverland Dairy, L.L.C.
At MSU, Sanderson was involved with the Block & Bridle Club, serving as its treasurer, being appointed dairy superintendent for the Little International Show, and helping to manage the AutumnFest booth. He was also vice president of the MSU Dairy Club and helped plan the Club’s annual Spartan Spectacular Calf Sale and the club booth at the Great Dairy Adventure. Sanderson is looking forward to spending his career working with dairy farmers and helping them maximize their herds’ potential.
The Donald and Valera Murray Scholarship is named in honor of Donald Murray, a former MSU Extension dairy specialist, and his wife, Valera, and it recognizes Dr. Murray’s leadership role in establishing the MDMSF. He guided the Foundation and served as its secretary from its beginnings in 1957 until he retired in 1972. The scholarship provides $4,000 to recipients to assist with education expenses.
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.
