Scholarship named to honor retiring veterinary science professor
A newly established scholarship at Morehead State is being named to honor a retiring professor of veterinary science.
Dr. Philip Prater, D.V.M., has been honored with a scholarship fund in his name that will provide financial aid for students in the veterinary science program at MSU. Approximately $10,000 in funding was provided by veterinarians, students, and colleagues impacted by Dr. Prater's instructional service over the past 25 years at MSU. In addition, the Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Association has pledged additional support to continue to grow the fund, with the hope of eventually endowing the fund, ensuring it will continue for years to come.
Dr. Prater wasn’t aware of the project until his retirement reception, where he was surprised with the announcement.
"This is the most humbling honor that any instructor could ever have bestowed on them," Prater said. "My hope is that these funds would serve to relieve some of the tremendous debt burden that pre-vet students incur in their eight-year education."
Prater began his career at MSU in 1998 as an assistant professor of veterinary technology. He was instrumental in securing funding for the University's Equine Health Education Center at the Derrickson Agricultural Complex. He served in leadership positions for several professional groups, including the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association's Board of Directors, the Kentucky Cattleman's Association's advisory board, the Kentucky Beef Network, and the American College of Theriogenologists (ACT). He also served as faculty advisor to pre-veterinary medicine students and the Pre-Vet club, in addition to authoring and co-authoring several peer-reviewed articles and two book chapters on large and small animal reproduction.
Prater earned many professional awards during his time at MSU. In 2006, Prater was named the Veterinarian of the Year by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, and he also received the Outstanding Senior Teacher Award from the American Association of Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources. In 2008, Prater earned the Morehead State University Distinguished Teacher Award and was promoted to full professor. He was awarded the 2018 Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) Distinguished Service Award of the Year. Prater will retire at the end of the month.
If you’re interested in supporting this fund, you can make a gift online at alumni.moreheadstate.edu/prater. More information about giving to MSU is available by emailing alumni@moreheadstate.edu or calling 606-783-2033.
Learn more about Agricultural Sciences programs at MSU by emailing agsi@moreheadstate.edu or calling 606-783-2662.
