Kaci Way

Kaci Way

Thank you so much for selecting me as a 2023 scholarship recipient. The funds I have received will go towards traveling for my senior year of veterinary medicine at Ohio State. I have a strong interest in mixed animal practice with emphasis in swine and dairy. I will be traveling to 5 states across the US over the next 12 months to further my knowledge and skills; especially with these two species. I am so honored to be selected, and I can not emphasize enough, how much this award helps out myself, and fellow students! Thank you!

Awards Received

2023 Graduate Award (Ohio)
2022 Graduate Award (Ohio)
2021 Graduate Award (Ohio)

Hometown:

Hometown:

West Salem, OH

School:

School:

Ohio State University

Major:

Major:

Veterinary Medicine

Career Goals:

Career Goals:

I trace my passion for the agricultural industry to my childhood, where I grew up on my family’s show pig farm and spent time on my uncle’s dairy. My interest in cattle and bovine medicine began at the age of 5 years old, when I fed a dairy calf for the very first time. There is something about bottle-feeding and being greeted by a young calf’s sandpaper tongue that leaves a lasting impression on a child. From there, I became active in agriculture by exhibiting pigs throughout the country, along with sheep, and cattle at my county fair. Involvement in 4-H and FFA strengthened my passion, leading to my bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University (OSU). Involvement in the Saddle & Sirloin club, OSU Livestock Judging Team, and Alpha Sigma Upsilon agricultural sorority occupied my time in undergrad. Currently, I am a third-year veterinary student at OSU. During school, I am active with the Food Animal Club, serving as the social chair, along with a wet-lab chair for the student-ran Food Animal Medicine Student Symposium which is hosted by Ohio State. I am also an active member of the Veterinary Fraternity, OTS, where I serve as Senior Delegate. This year, Ohio State hosted the national meeting for OTS which will be overseen by me. Additionally, I am a member of the Veterinary Public Health Club. While I am still navigating my future career, one thing is certain: I desire to be employed in the food animal industry, and more specifically, dairy, beef, and swine. After first year, I worked as a veterinary student intern for The Maschhoffs, a large-scale swine production company based in Illinois. This opportunity led to presenting summer research at the Leman Swine Conference, during which I received the Morrison Swine Innovator Student Award, and at AASV where I received a Top 10 Student Oral Presentation Scholarship. To strengthen my cattle knowledge, I spent last summer with New Pittsburg Vet Clinic in Wooster, OH. This practice is 95% dairy, with the rest being made up of small ruminants, swine, and beef cattle. I was also blessed to be living at home for the summer, which allowed me to partake in other activities that I am very passionate about. This includes volunteering in 4-H. I am a co-owner of a 60 sow showpig operation, and in my spare time, I provide free showmanship lessons to youth, along with feeding advice and help throughout the summer. 4-H and FFA strongly impacted my career path, so I am beginning to give back to youth and I hope to increase my involvement following graduation. I also enjoy volunteering with my home church in my spare time, and it is a goal of mine to become an active leader in whichever rural community I end up practicing in.