WSU Veterinary Student Montana Milton Awarded $49,000 Wright Scholarship

Montana Milton, a fourth-year student at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named the latest recipient of the prestigious Howard L. and E. Anne Wright Scholarship, a $49,000 award created to support future veterinarians committed to small animal medicine.

The Wright Scholarship, established by the late Dr. Howard Wright (’52 DVM) and his wife, Anne, is awarded to a veterinary student in the top half of their class who plans to pursue a career in small animal practice. Since its inception in 2009, the scholarship has provided nearly $500,000 in financial support to 16 WSU veterinary students.

For Milton, the award covers her entire final year of veterinary school—relieving the burden of debt and allowing her to consider career opportunities in smaller communities rather than feeling pressured to accept a high-paying urban position.

“Being selected for such a substantial scholarship in their name is an honor that I don’t take lightly, and it means the world to me that I have been deemed deserving of it,” Milton said. “I am so inspired by the opportunity to live up to Howard and Anne’s memory, and I hope to do so throughout my career by taking excellent care of my patients, uplifting people around me, and paying forward the blessings I have received.”

The Wright family’s connection to veterinary medicine runs deep. Over three generations, 14 family members have earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, more than half from WSU. They have owned and operated Lakewood Veterinary Hospital in Lakewood, Washington since 1952.

Howard Wright’s brother, Dr. Roy Wright (’58 DVM), said the scholarship reflects Howard’s lifelong commitment to both animals and people.

“He loved to help people. He loved being a veterinarian, and it was through him most of the family became veterinarians,” Roy said. “He wanted other people to experience the same greatness of the profession that he did.”

The Wright Scholarship continues to honor that legacy, empowering students like Milton to focus on their passion for veterinary medicine without the overwhelming weight of educational debt.

For the full story, visit the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine website.