Vet School Bound: Two UAM Students further their education with acceptance to veterinary school
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MONTICELLO, Ark. — Two Pre-Vet students from the University of Arkansas at Monticello are headed to one of the top veterinary schools in the region. Lifetime friends Jayden Grider and Ruthann Corker have both been accepted into the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, where they will begin their path to becoming veterinarians.
By Traci Rushing, U of A System Division of Agriculture
Both students ranked in the top nine of applicants from Arkansas earning in-state tuition in recognition of their academic excellence.
Grider and Corker credit their success to the unwavering support of UAM’s animal science faculty. Hands-on experiences in labs led by Dr. Rocky Linsdey and Dr. Maribel Nelson were instrumental in preparing them for veterinary school. Both students highlighted cattle palpation, ultrasound and small ruminant labs at UAM Farms as impactful to their learning experience and acceptance to LSU’s program.
Additionally, UAM faculty provided opportunities for students to attend RCK Genetics’ Cattle ArtificialInseminationTraininginRomance,Arkansas. Gridercitedthisexperienceasan influential part of her education.
While pursuing their degrees, Grider and Corker worked as veterinary assistants at local clinics, gaining real-world experience in animal care. Both women rotated working for Dr. Tabitha Norris at her four veterinary clinics throughout Southeast Arkansas.
“Dr. Rocky has been a big help and pushed students to do more and gain more experiences in veterinary science,” said Corker. “He assisted both of us with getting jobs at the Norris Animal Clinics, provided valuable experiences with sheep and goats and the opportunity to travel on a veterinary mission trip to Belize,” added Grider.
Corker has a strong interest in becoming a large animal veterinarian, a passion fueled by her work with cattle on the UAM farm. Grider, meanwhile, plans to specialize in small animal emergency medicine, drawn to the fast-paced environment and the opportunity to make critical, life-saving interventions for pets in urgent need.
The two students, who have been friends since their days at Warren High School, are thrilled to begin the next chapter of their journey together.
“This has been my dream since I was 4 years old, but getting the privilege to live out this dream with my best friend just makes it that much sweeter,” said Grider.
Corker’s and Grider’s acceptance to LSU highlights the quality of education and preparation that the UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources provides students in its Pre-Vet program.
“There’s a big hole in the UAM animal science department after the 2025 graduation of this crew,” said Dr. Lindsey. “But we look forward to welcoming a new group of excellent students in the fall.”
For more information about UAM’s Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with Pre-Vet emphasis, visit the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources’ website at www.uamont.edu/academics/CFANR.
About the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center
The College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence, brings together interdisciplinary expertise through a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The College and Center are headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus, but their programs range statewide with the mission of developing and delivering teaching, research, and extension programs that enhance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of forest-based natural resources and agricultural systems. Academic programs are delivered by the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources through the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, research is administered by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension and outreach activities are coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
