Rorick Family Establishes Veterinary Scholarship at A-State
JONESBORO — A $25,000 gift from the Rorick family will support students in the Arkansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) through the newly established Rorick Family Veterinary Medicine Scholarship.
The endowed scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Jerre Kent Rorick, a fourth-generation equine professional who practiced veterinary medicine for more than 50 years and recognizes his lifelong dedication to the care and performance of thoroughbred racehorses.
The scholarship will provide support to full-time, on-campus students accepted into the CVM. Preference will be given to students with an interest in large animal medicine, members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity in good standing, and those who demonstrate scholarship, leadership, integrity and character.
“We are grateful to the Rorick family for honoring a legacy rooted in excellence and compassion for animal care,” said Dr. Heidi Banse, dean of the CVM. “This scholarship will help future veterinarians build careers inspired by the same dedication Dr. Rorick showed throughout his life.”
Rorick practiced at prominent racetracks across the country, including Arlington Park, Sportsman’s Park and Hawthorne Park in Illinois, as well as Hoosier Downs and Indianapolis Downs in Indiana. With his wife, June, at his side managing records and administrative needs, Rorick built a reputation for helping horses perform at their best.
His passion was passed down through generations. Both his parents, Elmer and Carmen Rorick, were involved in the thoroughbred racing industry. His great-uncles trained horses, and his great-grandfather provided remounts for the U.S. military during World War I.
His brother, Kevin Rorick — a Pi Kappa Alpha alumnus and a 1976 A-State graduate — also works in the racing industry as a bloodstock agent and helped establish the scholarship alongside fellow Pi Kappa Alpha alumni.
“My brother loved what he did and he did it with a sense of purpose that was grounded in family, tradition and integrity,” said Rorick. “This scholarship is a way to ensure that his passion for equine care and veterinary medicine lives on through the next generation.”
The scholarship will be administered by the Pi Kappa Alpha Alumni Scholarship Board and is renewable in years when no Pi Kappa Alpha member qualifies.
Additional information about this and other giving opportunities at A-State is available through the Office of Development at 870-972-3940 or development@AState.edu.
