Veterinary Technology Student Briley Brink wins national scholarship

Veterinary Technology Student Briley Brink, a senior from Vincennes, Indiana, was recently awarded a Scholarship from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.

Brink is one of only 20 students from across the nation who received the $2,500 scholarship and the only student from Kentucky to do so. The scholarship is part of NAVTA and Boehringer Ingelheim's Tuition for Technicians (T4T) program.

"By being awarded this scholarship, some of the financial stresses have been lifted off, so I can focus on my schoolwork," Brink said.

To be eligible for a scholarship, students had to meet the following criteria:

Must be a veterinary technology/nursing student enrolled full-time in an AVMA-accredited program (on-campus or distance learning) that has completed at least one year of program requirements;

• Must submit transcripts showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• Must submit a letter confirming current enrollment at full-time status;
• Must submit up to three letters of recommendation;
• Must be a NAVTA Student Member;
• Must submit a 500-word essay addressing one of the following:
• Where do you see the future of the veterinary technology/nursing profession 5-10 years from now?
• How will you contribute to the veterinary technology/nursing profession?
• What are your career goals?

NAVTA members and representatives from Boehringer Ingelheim judged each application and determined the final list of recipients.

Brink is working at the MedVet emergency room in Lexington. She earned her associate degree in veterinary technology last year and will complete her bachelor's degree in May. She said her dream is to one day return to MSU as an instructor.

“Dr. (Amy) Staton has been a big inspiration to me,” Brink said. “I was a teaching assistant for this past fall semester with her and absolutely loved helping the first-year vet tech students learn basic skills that will help them throughout their careers.”

"I could not have gotten this far in my education if it wasn't for the support and guidance of the vet tech professors at MSU."

NAVTA is a US-based not-for-profit membership community of over 8,500 credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants and other veterinary support staff involved in veterinary care. NAVTA advances the profession of veterinary technology and veterinary nursing through its advocacy and awareness programs and by providing continuing professional development opportunities. NAVTA supports the veterinary technology and veterinary nursing profession with various programs and benefits, available at https://navta.net/membership.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for predicting, preventing, and treating diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, producers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer an extensive and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve companion animals' and livestock's health and well-being. Learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA at www.bi-animalhealth.com.

To explore Morehead State's Department of Agricultural Sciences programs, email agsi@moreheadstate.edu  or call 606-783-2662.