Veterinary students in their third and fourth year of college are eligible to receive the award. Recipients of the scholarship are selected based on their academic achievement, career goals, work experience and interest in veterinary medicine.
“Large animal medicine is critical to our food safety, as well as our national security. In support of the growing need for more veterinarians in this segment of the industry, Merck Animal Health is proud to sponsor this scholarship each year. This is just a small investment compared to the value these students will bring to our industry during the course of their careers,” said Stewart.
“This award is an important partnership with Merck Animal Health that supports AABP’s mission to improve opportunities for careers in bovine medicine,” said AABP Executive Vice President M. Gatz Riddell, D.V.M.
“The opportunity to attend the AABP Annual Conference will allow students to network with AABP members who can help shape their careers.”
The following students are recipients of the 2012 AABP Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition Awards:
Rebecca Domenigoni is a fourth year veterinary student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences. She received a bachelor of science in animal science and a master of arts in education from the University of California – Davis. She plans to obtain a position at a rural clinic focusing on bovine medicine.
Grant Fontenot attends Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge. Following graduation, he hopes to join a mixed or large animal practice and learn how to run a successful veterinary practice.
J. Oliver Irons is a fourth year veterinary student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University. He received a bachelor of science in agriculture with an emphasis in animal and poultry science, along with a minor in business from Virginia Tech. He plans to practice veterinary medicine and establish his own export market with live and cryopreserved cattle genetics.
Lesley Kirschten Liane is a fourth year veterinary student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. She earned a bachelor of science in animal science, production and management with a minor in agribusiness from North Dakota State University. Following graduation, Liane hopes to return to a rural area in the Midwest and practice veterinary medicine. She would also like to become board certified in theriogenology and eventually own her own clinic.
Lindley Reilly attends the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Veterinary Medicine as a fourth year veterinary student. She received a bachelor of science in dairy science from UW – Madison. Reilly would like to work as a dairy cattle practitioner in Wisconsin. During that time she would also like to act as a consultant and work with the local extension agency to continue farmer education in the area of milk quality.
Henry Reinart is a third year veterinary student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He received a bachelor of science in animal science-production medicine from Michigan State University. Following graduation, Reinart hopes to join a food animal veterinary practice near his hometown.
Levi Smith is a third year veterinary student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. He earned a bachelor of science in animal science from Pennsylvania State University. Smith plans to join a rural veterinary practice focusing on production animal medicine.
Emily Waggoner is a fourth year veterinary student at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a bachelor of science in animal and veterinary science from Clemson University. Waggoner hopes to join a bovine veterinary practice and would like to own a practice one day. 
—From Merck Animal Health
