Funds raised through the Animal and Food Sciences Reunion Silent Auction support the Animal and Food Sciences Alumni Scholarship.

AFS Alumni Scholarship Recipients

• 2024 - Charity Moore
• 2023 - McKenzie Bell, Charity Moore
• 2022 - Tyler Purvis
• 2021 - Sierra Tichnell

2023

Funds raised through the Animal and Food Sciences Reunion Silent Auction support the Animal and Food Sciences Alumni Scholarship. This year the scholarship was awarded to two individuals, McKenzie Bell and Charity Moore.

McKenzie Bell

The first recipient of the 2023-2024 Animal and Food Sciences Alumni Scholarship is McKenzie Bell, a senior from Monticello, Kentucky. McKenzie’s enthusiasm for animal agriculture started at a young age as one of her earliest memories was helping nurse a bottle calf that was born during a cold, wet Kentucky spring day. She built upon that early interest throughout high school being involved in 4-H and FFA. When enrolling at the University of Kentucky, McKenzie took on the daunting task of pursing dual degrees in Animal Sciences and Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology. This academic year McKenzie is serving as president of the Block and Bridle Club and is a member of Sigma Alpha and the Western Equestrian Team. After graduation in May 2024, McKenzie plans on attending veterinary school with the long-term goal of owning her own large animal practice in rural Kentucky.

Charity Moore

The second recipient of the 2023-2024 Animal and Food Sciences Alumni Scholarship is Charity Moore, a sophomore majoring in Animal Sciences with an agricultural economics minor. Charity grew up on a grain farm in Germantown, Ohio and has been involved in the beef cattle industry since childhood. At a young age Charity was bitten by the livestock showing bug and began exhibiting cattle at shows through her involvement in 4-H and FFA. Today, in addition to being a college student, she shows beef cattle on various national show circuits. As a student at the University of Kentucky Charity is an active member of the Block and Bridle Club, Sigma Alpha, and Collegiate Farm Bureau. Upon graduation, she plans on having a career in the beef cattle industry. Eventually, Charity would like to own and operate her own purebred beef cattle herd.

2022

This year, the AFS Alumni scholarship was awarded to Tyler Purvis, a senior majoring in Animal Sciences from East Bernstadt, Kentucky.  At a young age Tyler became fascinated with cattle.  One of Tyler's earliest memories was helping his grandfather feed bottle calves before going to kindergarten for the day.  Tyler's enthusiasm fore animal agriculture grew throughout his high school career and his involvement in FFA.  While a student at the University of Kentucky, Tyler has been involved in the Block and Bridle Club and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.  Upon graduation in May 2023 Tyler plans on attending graduate school focusing on animal reproduction.  Eventually Tyler would like to own a cattle operation running both a commercial and a purebred herd.

2021

In 2021, the scholarship was awarded to Sierra Tichnell, a senior majoring in Animal Sciences. Sierra’s enthusiasm for animal agricultural started at young age as she was a member of the Maple Mountain 4-H club, showing sheep in her home state of Maryland. Since arriving at the University of Kentucky in 2019 Sierra has been involved in many clubs associated with the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. This academic year Sierra is serving as President of Ag Student Council, President of the Pre-Vet Club and Vice President of the Block and Bridle Club. She will graduate from the University of Kentucky in May 2022 and plans on attending veterinary school to pursue a career as a large animal vet.