Morris Animal Foundation recently announced the appointment of 15 new Ballard Students, serving as Foundation representatives at veterinary colleges across the United States and in Canada.  As Foundation ambassadors, Ballard Students educate their fellow students and the faculty at the veterinary schools about the Foundation’s vital role in advancing veterinary medicine. 

“With a devotion to animals and the veterinary profession, these students are valuable to advancing the Foundation’s mission,” said Robert Hilsenroth, DVM, Morris Animal Foundation’s executive director. “We welcome the new Ballard Student class to Morris Animal Foundation and are delighted to work with them.”

The 15 veterinary students new to the program are: Lindsay Borcherding, Purdue University; Nicole Bruckner, Auburn University; Kristin Budinich, University of Pennsylvania; Elisabeth Carlson, The Ohio State University; Jill Harris, University of Florida; Sarah Heinemann, Texas A&M University, Melody Kaliff, Kansas State University; Janie Kelley, Mississippi State University; Dana Marsh, University of Illinois; Colleen Maurer, University of Prince Edward Island; Meredith Stepita, University of Tennessee; Liz VanWormer, Michigan State University; Allison Wack, Virginia-Maryland Regional College; Rick Wood, Colorado State University; Meredith Yates, Cornell University. These 15 new students join 16 others who are in their second year of service.

Morris Animal Foundation’s Ballard Student Program started in 1980 with a generous gift from the late Joseph Ballard Jr., of Fort Worth, Texas. Ballard was president of Morris Animal Foundation’s Board of Trustees from 1977-1982 and chairman of the board from 1982-1983. His legacy continues to encourage veterinary students to pursue excellence in their studies and serve as ambassadors of the Foundation