The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine announced Nov. 13 that students Lauren Duffee and Emma Gorenberg were each awarded a $6,000 scholarship from the Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation.
TERF is a non-profit charitable organization that supports and promotes equine education and research by sponsoring scholarships in veterinary medicine, as well as supporting organizations that are educating the public in the proper care of horses.
TERF supports specialty Opportunity Scholarships to help promote careers in equine veterinary medicine. These scholarships are awarded to third- and fourth-year students who intend to pursue such a career. Opportunity Scholarships pair recipients with Penn Vet graduates and clinicians as mentors and advisors.
Duffee, a native of Simsbury, Conn., received her bachelor's degree in biology/biochemistry from the College of the Holy Cross.
"As a veterinary student who grew up riding and caring for many equine athletes I am very honored to be a recipient of the Opportunity Scholarship of the Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation," said Duffee in a release.
"During my four years at Penn Vet, I studied laminitis and strangles infections, and I plan to continue this research after graduation while practicing in the field. I believe that research is imperative in evidence-based medicine and in the progression of our profession. In the face of a difficult economy for equine practitioners, this scholarship will help to realize my dream and enable my role within the equestrian community."
Gorenberg, who hails from Philadelphia and West Tisbury, Mass., received her bachelor's degree in English and political science from Amherst College and a master's degree in creative writing-poetry from the University of Michigan. She is interested in equine medicine and has been a longtime dressage rider.
"I feel incredibly grateful to TERF for their support during this final year of vet school," Gorenberg said in a statement. "As equine students at Penn Vet, we constantly have the chance to learn from our Thoroughbred patients through our clinical work, classroom studies, and involvement in scientific research within the University. That TERF would grant this scholarship means a great deal to me, especially during this time of economic uncertainty for new graduates.
"The assistance provided by this scholarship will help me to achieve greater professional freedom during my post-graduate years, with the ultimate goal of achieving specialty training. I hope that I can, in turn, continue to support the Thoroughbred industry through excellent patient care and commitment to racehorses through every stage of their lives, from birth to a successful post-racing career."
"Penn Vet is so grateful to TERF for not only helping our students financially, but also for supporting their commitment to equine and large-animal veterinary medicine," said Dr. Joan Hendricks, the Gilbert S. Kahn dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
"The TERF Board is personally committed to funding education in equine medicine and surgery, as well as general equine education," said Herb Moelis, TERF co-founder. "We are excited to be working with Penn Vet students and we welcome applicants from other schools and colleges of veterinary medicine in the Mid-Atlantic area."
