At the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, we are honored to help preserve the legacy of Stephanie Welch, a passionate animal rescuer whose heart for horses left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
Though she and her husband, Rick Welch, were married for just five years, their friendship and shared love for animals spanned more than two decades. Throughout those years, Rick often called on her for help with animal rescue efforts. “Stephanie was the one you always reached out to when an animal was in need,” he said. “It didn’t matter if it was a dog, cat, or especially a horse—she was always ready to help.”
While Stephanie’s love for animals knew no bounds, it was horses that held the greatest place in her heart. Throughout her life, she provided a home for many, including rescues, and often relied on MSU CVM’s equine faculty and staff for their care. “Dr. Christiansen and his team would come out to the farm to help her whenever she needed it,” Rick said. “She leaned on the vet school a lot, and she was a huge supporter of their work.”
To honor Stephanie’s love for animals and her connection to the college, Rick has established the Stephanie and Rick Welch Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will support veterinary students with a focus on equine medicine, specifically those who share Stephanie's passion for caring for those animals who need it most.
“I just want her to be remembered,” Rick said. “If her love for horses can help a student succeed, and that student goes on to help horses one day, then that’s a perfect way to carry on her legacy.”
Rick hopes the scholarship will support students with not only a passion for equine care, but also a compassion for animals often overlooked or in critical need. “Stephanie always rooted for the underdog,” he said. “If she found a horse in bad shape, that motivated her even more. I hope the students who receive this scholarship feel that same calling to give their best to animals in need,” he said.
Stephanie’s compassion extended far beyond her own barn. In addition to her horses, she rescued dogs and even cows. “Who rescues cows?” Rick said. “Steph did.” After her passing, Rick became the full-time caretaker for her six horses, three cows, and four dogs, a responsibility that he embraced as a part of her legacy. “I’ve had a crash course in horse care, that’s for sure.”
While Stephanie wasn’t an MSU graduate herself, she was a proud supporter of Mississippi State, especially the veterinary college. Her connection to the university is shared by her 19-year-old twins, who both attend MSU, and by Rick, a proud graduate of the Bagley College of Engineering.
“Other than her kids, horses were her world,” Rick said. “And now through this scholarship, that part of her will continue to live on in every student it supports and every animal they help.”
Through the Rick and Stephanie Welch Endowed Scholarship, MSU CVM is proud to honor a life filled with kindness, generosity, and a devotion to animal care.
For more information about supporting this scholarship or other giving opportunities at the College of Veterinary Medicine, please contact the Office of Development, 662-325-5170 or cvm@foundation.msstate.edu
Support the Stephanie and Rick Welch Endowed Scholarship
