Seeking the feasibility surrounding the development of a school for veterinarian medicine, Murray State University and its officials have announced the task force responsible for the next stages.
Among them include several noted individuals with ties to the Pennyrile area:
— David Beck, a Lyon County native and president/COO of Kentucky Venues
— Sharon Furches, second vice president for Kentucky Farm Bureau
— Jerry Gilliam, Christian County judge-executive
— Jamie Guffey, executive director for Kentucky Poultry Federation
— Senator Jason Howell, chairman for the Senate Agriculture Committee
— Stan Humphries, Trigg County judge-executive
— Theresa Nichol of Garnett Farms
— Dr. Debbie Reed, director for the Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville
— Kristen Stewart, agriculture coordinator for Hopkinsville Community College
— And Jason Vincent, executive director for Pennyrile Area Development District
MSU’s Board of Regents adopted the resolution for this task force during its Friday, August 25 session.
In the current climate, the Commonwealth is without a school of veterinary medicine. And yet, nearly 70 students annually are accepted to out-of-state veterinary schools. The United States, in general, only has 32 accredited programs credentialed by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Racer officials believe MSU already has a strong foundation for animal science. The Hutson School of Agriculture has the largest pre-veterinary medicine/vet tech enrollment of any Kentucky university, and it’s one of just three in the state with full AVMA accreditation. Hands-on learning is available at both MSU’s West Farm in Calloway County, as well as Breathitt Veterinary Center in Christian County.
Others in this group include:
— Mr. Jeremy Buchanan, Executive Director, Purchase Area Development District
— Dr. Johanna Choate, Veterinary Faculty, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University
— Mr. Seth Clark, Pre-Veterinarian Student, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University
— Ms. Sarah Coleman, Executive Director, Kentucky Horse Council
— Ms. Nikki Ellis, Executive Director, Kentucky Pork Producers
— Dr. Renee Fister, Associate Provost, Murray State University
— Dr. Claire Fuller, Dean, Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Murray State University
— Mr. Daniel Hayden, Program Coordinator, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association
— Representative Richard Heath, Chairman, House Agriculture Committee
— Ms. Yesenia Hernandez, Pre-Veterinarian Student, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University
— Dr. Laura Ken Hoffman, Associate Professor, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University
— Ms. Tara Joiner, Licensed Veterinary Technologist, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University
— Mr. Nathaniel Keith, Production Manager, Cal Maine Foods
— Dr. Brittany Kirby, Assistant Professor, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University
— Dr. John Laster, Executive Board, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association
— Mr. Doug Lawson, President/COO, Field and Main Bank
— Dr. Brent Mayabb, Global Chief Medical Officer, Royal Canin
— Dr. Shea Porr, Associate Dean, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University
— Mr. Ronny Pryor, Representative, Tyson Foods
— Representative Steven Rudy, House Majority Floor Leader
— Ms. Joanna Shake, Executive Director, Green River Area Development District
— Dr. Jared Tapp, Veterinarian, Pennyrile Animal Clinic
Co-Chairs:
— Dr. Brian Parr, Dean, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University
— Mr. Jordan Smith, Executive Director of Government and Institutional Relations, Murray State University
Ex-Officio:
— Dr. Robert L Jackson, President, Murray State University
— Dr. Tim Todd, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Murray State University
— Ms. Jackie Dudley, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Murray State University
