Western awarded $4,500 Donald and Valera Murray Scholarship

EAST LANSING, MI -- Marin Western, of Croswell, was chosen at the 2016-17 Donald and Valera Murray endowed scholarship through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Inc., at Michigan State University (MSU). The $4,500 scholarship is named in honor of Donald Murray, a former MSU Extension dairy specialist, and his wife Valera.

Western, the daughter of Ken and Julie Western, received the award based on her academic achievements, involvement in extracurricular activities and interest in pursuing a career in the dairy industry.  She is currently a junior pursuing a major in animal science and a minor in agribusiness management. She is interning at Vita Plus in Madison, Wisc., this summer and will serve as President of the MSU Dairy Club during her upcoming senior year.

Throughout college, Western has been involved in the MSU Dairy Club, the MSU Dairy Challenge and Dairy Challenge Academy, MSU RISE (Residential Initiative of the Study of the Environment), and the Greening of Detroit project.  She was also an AYSO Soccer Referee and a volunteer at the MSU Student Organic Farm.

The Donald and Valera Murray Endowed Scholarship was created in 2007 to recognize Dr. Murray’s leadership role in establishing the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation.  He guided the Foundation and served as its secretary from its beginnings in 1957 until he retired in 1972.  The first Murray Endowed Scholarship was awarded in 2008.

For more information on making contributions to honor members of the dairy industry or to support student scholarships, please contact the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources External Relations at 517-355-0284.  To learn more about the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, contact Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen in the MSU Department of Animal Science at 517-432-5443.