BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The following is a press release from Blinn College:
Chase Stone had a passion for helping animals, and his career choice reflected that enthusiasm.
Stone, 24, was in his senior year in the Blinn College District Veterinary Technology Program when he died in a September 2021 accident at College Station. His obituary included “fur babies” Macy, Molly, Millie and Mando as survivors.
Stone’s legacy will live on through a grant from his family and friends to the Blinn College Foundation. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student of Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program.
“Chase had a passion for helping and caring for animals,” said his father, Charlie. “The Blinn Veterinary Technology Program allowed him to thrive and had a major impact on his life. Within the program, Chase’s cohorts became very close. Even outside the classroom, he knew he had made friends for life.
“He was very excited about entering his senior year, and his mother (Kimma) and I could not believe how committed and focused he was in completing this program and becoming a veterinary technician.”
Charlie Stone said establishing a scholarship is a way to help other students achieve their career goals and to honor their son’s mission to help animals.
“We understand that financial concerns or limitations can sometimes hinder students from pursuing their dreams,” he said. “Because of the tremendous impact it had on Chase, we wanted to establish this scholarship to help prospective students achieve their dreams of becoming a vet tech.”
Leigha Wright, an instructor who has been with the program since 2018, said Chase was a joy to have in the classroom.
“He was an extremely dedicated student of veterinary technology who was loved by his classmates, instructors and all the animals he encountered,” Wright said. “His sincere attitude made him a quick friend to everyone, both humans and animals. He brought a smile to the faces of everyone he met, and his loss was deeply felt by all.”
Stone’s classmates paid tribute to him in a presentation at a recent pinning ceremony held for this year’s graduating class.
Sam Sommer, chairman of the board of directors for the Blinn College Foundation, said the gift from the Stones is an example of true selflessness.
“It’s a remarkable way to honor Chase and his desire to help animals,” Sommer said. “He clearly loved Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program, and this scholarship will give others the opportunity to realize their career goals. We cannot thank the Stones enough for their generosity and for thinking of others at a time of great personal loss.”
Blinn offers a traditional two-year track and a three-year blended track in which students complete their classes online and their labs on campus. Both pathways encompass the same courses, including veterinary medical terminology, veterinary nutrition, veterinary anatomy and physiology, exotic animal clinical management, veterinary parasitology, veterinary radiology, veterinary pharmacology, veterinary clinical pathology, equine clinical management, food animal clinical management, dogs, and cats clinical management, as well as clinical experiences.
The program prepares Blinn graduates in a number of animal-related fields, including veterinary clinics, animal shelters, educational institutions, government agencies, labs, and research facilities.
The Blinn College Foundation, which oversees more than 300 scholarship awards, provides financial support for activities and programs that enhance educational opportunities for Blinn students.
Endowed scholarships are available to new and returning students from a wide variety of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Scholarships are awarded based on high academic achievement, participation in student activities, and community involvement.
Information on creating an endowed scholarship is available by contacting susan.myers@blinn.edu or calling 979-830-4017.
Students can apply for Blinn Scholarships by completing a single application at www.blinn.edu/scholarships. Before applying, students must complete an application for admission to Blinn College at www.applytexas.org.
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