Contact: Karen Templeton
Photo by: submitted
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A 1992 graduate of Mississippi State's College of Veterinary Medicine is honoring the memory of his friend and classmate at the university.
A recent $30,000 special endowment by Dr. Todd R. Henderson is dedicated to the late Dr. Paul W. Farmer, who, with his wife Alyssa, owned and operated the Animal Medical Hospital Inc. near the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Jackson.
Farmer, who also received a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1992, died in 2011 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The college's 2003 Alumni Fellow, Henderson is president and CEO of Nutramax Laboratories of Lancaster, South Carolina, and Edgewood, Maryland. The Nutramax Family of Companies develops animal health products and conducts research to promote quality pet care products. For more, visit www.nutramaxlabs.com.
Henderson has directed Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences Inc. to establish the Paul Farmer Memorial and Nutramax Laboratories Student Travel Endowment and the Paul Farmer Memorial and Nutramax Laboratories Student Travel Support Annual Fund.
The gifts will support the domestic and international travel of students in the college to promote the practice of veterinary medicine. In addition to being in good academic standing, those selected must have demonstrated strong leadership abilities and be members of the MSU-CVM Christian Veterinary Fellowship.
Henderson recalled that, "just prior to his passing, Paul and I were able to spend time talking and praying. My greatest joy was praying with my friend, whom I dearly loved.
"The manner in which he handled his illness and the grace he showed was a great encouragement to me," Henderson added.
In expressing appreciation, the college's development director praised Henderson's passion for "improving the quality of life for people and their pets," adding that he "exemplifies the spirit and learning principles of the college."
Jimmy Kight said the gift "speaks volumes about the importance of not just the education students receive here, but the friendships they make.
"Dr. Henderson and Dr. Farmer are examples of what it means to be a part of the MSU-CVM family," Kight continued. "We are grateful to Dr. Henderson for supporting our students and also shining the light on Dr. Farmer's legacy."
For more the College of Veterinary Medicine and its student scholarship funds, visit www.cvm.msstate.edu.
Complete information on Mississippi's flagship research university is found at www.msstate.edu.