A future doctor, a future lawyer and a future scientist have a head start on paying for their advanced educations.

The West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design students received awards from the H.E. “Doc” Kidder Memorial Trust, which will provide them with thousands of dollars for each year of their post-baccalaureate instruction.

This year’s Kidder scholarship recipients are: Dominick Cangemi, Glen Daniel, W.Va.; Jedson Liggett II, Huttonsville, W.Va.; and Karen Sommers, St. Clairsville, Ohio. Each will receive $2,500 annually during their continued studies.

Cangemi graduated from WVU in December with a bachelor’s degree in animal and nutritional sciences. As an undergraduate student, he studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, was a semi-finalist in the 2010 West Virginia Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition, and was a member of the Dairy Judging Team. He is currently a substitute teacher and assistant track coach in Raleigh County. Cangemi has been accepted into the WVU College of Law Class of 2015.

Liggett is an animal and nutritional sciences major. He was named a WVU Foundation Outstanding Senior, and the Outstanding Senior for the Davis College’s Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences. Active in the Morgantown and WVU communities, he’s volunteered for the Ronald McDonald House, Mountaineers Recycle Program, Students Helping Other People and the SustainU ONEShirt Campaign. Liggett has been accepted to the WVU School of Medicine and plans to pursue a general surgery residency. After completing his residency he’d like to complete a tour of duty with the United States Navy Medical Core.

Sommers is an animal and nutritional sciences major. She is a resident assistant for Summit Hall, advising and guiding freshmen residents. During her undergraduate career, Sommers researched the effects of organic grazing practices on parasitism in post weaning lambs under the direction of Scott Bowdridge, assistant professor of animal sciences. She presented her research as part of Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in 2011. Sommers’ research experience led her to apply for graduate school at WVU. She will pursue a master’s degree in animal and nutritional sciences with a concentration in immunology and parasitology.

The memorial trust honors the late H.E. “Doc” Kidder, professor emeritus of animal and veterinary sciences in the Davis College. He had a distinguished career at WVU as a researcher and educator, serving from 1954 to 1988. After his death in 1989, his will created the trust to support Davis College students in their graduate or professional education. Selection is based on academic performance with added consideration for leadership and financial need.

The trust was established through a gift made to the WVU Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation that generates and provides support for WVU and its nonprofit affiliates.

The Davis College is also home to the Davis-Michael Scholars Program, a challenging track that prepares students for continued education in medical professions and the sciences. The Division also holds reciprocal agreements with several out-of-state schools of veterinary medicine that secure spaces for qualified WVU graduates.

-WVU-

law/04/30/12

CONTACT: Lindsay Willey; Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304.293.2381; Lindsay.Willey@mail.wvu.edu

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