HARROGATE, Tenn. — Ashley Kotran, a third-year veterinary student at the Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM), was one of 36 veterinary students honored with the Dr. Jack Walther Leadership Award at the 90th Annual Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The award recognizes veterinary students who portray leadership and promote a lifelong service to the profession and show long-term leadership potential. The award included a $1,000 award and complimentary registration, lodging, airfare and a daily stipend to attend the conference. Named in honor of Nevada veterinarian Jack Walther, who passed away in 2017, the award is a tribute to a man who served the WVC for over 50 years in various offices including committee chairman, board member and president.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this award and represent LMU-CVM,” Kotran said. “I’ve put a lot of time into participating and developing many clubs at this new school, in particular the LMU chapter of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association, so I am very appreciative to be recognized for those efforts.”

Kotran has always had an interest in working with military dogs. She graduated from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. While at UCONN she participated in the Army ROTC for three years and was awarded an educational delay to attend veterinary school. In the fall of 2015, Kotran was accepted into LMU-CVM’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, where she received the Army Health Professions Scholarship for three years.

“I was extremely interested in LMU-CVM because of its unique curriculum style with intense clinical skills starting the first semester of your first year, and the fact that you can plan your own clinical rotations during your fourth year to fit your needs,” Kotran said.

Kotran plans to enter the US Army Veterinary Corps as an officer following graduation from LMU-CVM, and has been able to set up two clinical rotations during her upcoming fourth year at military facilities including Fort Shafter in Hawaii and Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Kotran said she was also impressed by the number of retired and active Army Veterinary Corps officers that serve as professors at LMU-CVM.

“The Dr. Jack Walther Leadership Award gives me confidence and motivation to continue my leadership skills and abilities as an Army officer,” Kotran said. “I am looking forward to all of the amazing opportunities the Army has to offer.”

Kotran is the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Kotran, of Toms River, New Jersey.