The West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources awarded the 2025 H.E. “Doc” Kidder Memorial Trust scholarship to two students, Audrey Baker and Madison Welch. This scholarship assists Davis College students with pursuing graduate or professional education in specified fields.
Baker, a senior from New Martinsville, West Virginia, will earn her bachelor’s degree in animal and nutritional sciences with a minor in biology. Upon graduation, she will attend the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and plans to become a mixed animal practitioner. During her time at WVU, she has shadowed veterinarians at multiple practices, worked at an animal hospital, been a MindFit academic coach, participated in the WVU Pre-Veterinary Club, served as both secretary and vice president of the WVU Dairy Club, and was a Davis-Michael Scholar.
“Growing up in a rural town in West Virginia, I have been able to see the importance of the mixed animal vet. I enjoy the closeness that you can build with clients in a small practice. While shadowing, I learned how much change you can bring about as a vet,” Baker said. “I plan to bring competent medicine and clear communication to my practice, but even more so, I am committed to serving the people and animals of my community to the best of my ability and utilizing my education to its fullest extent.”
Welch, a senior from Magnolia, Delaware, also will earn a bachelor’s degree in animal and nutritional sciences, and she will attend the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine this fall. She plans to become a mixed animal veterinarian. While in college, she had the opportunity to shadow at an animal hospital and a bovine veterinary center, as well as work at an animal hospital. Additionally, Welch is a Davis College student ambassador, Davis-Michael Scholar, tutor, president of the WVU Pre-Veterinary Club, a member of WVU PAWS and WVU Best Buddies, and chartered the WVU Small Ruminant Science Club.
“One of the most valuable lessons I have learned at WVU has been to explore outside of my comfort zone. This has, and will continue to, allow me to build meaningful, genuine connections with people through my love of science, service and leadership,” Welch said. “The experiences I have had at WVU have given me all of the tools I need to succeed in the next step of my journey, where I will explore new opportunities and give back to the communities that have shaped me.”
H.E. Kidder, professor emeritus of animal sciences, had a distinguished career at WVU from 1954 until his retirement in 1988. He was widely recognized for his excellence in teaching, dedication to students and service to the livestock industry in West Virginia.
Before his passing in 1989, Kidder established the H.E. “Doc” Kidder Memorial Trust Scholarship to support animal and nutritional sciences students at the Davis College. This scholarship assists selected students in pursuing graduate or professional education in animal science, veterinary medicine, human medicine, law or other related areas.
For more than 30 years, the trust has provided students with thousands of dollars for their graduate or professional education. Selection is based on an interview process that evaluates academic performance with added consideration for leadership and financial need.
“This scholarship recognizes awardees for not only their academic ability but also their service, their club and leadership contribution, and their attitude about wanting to give back,” said Paul Lewis, professor emeritus and member of the scholarship selection committee. “Some of us on the committee knew Kidder, so we have a feeling for what he would have expected of students, and we try to facilitate that in our evaluation of applicants, so I think that’s a way that this scholarship really continues on his legacy.”
The Kidder Trust is under the stewardship of the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit corporation that solicits and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
The Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources envisions a world sustainably fed, clothed and sheltered. To learn more about the Davis College, visit davis.wvu.edu. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube by following @WVUDavis.
