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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- A different kind of scholarship allows local businesses to help medical students afford the cost of med school.  The Kirksville Preferred Merchants Scholarship Fund is funded by Northeast Missouri area merchants and professionals.  Students from the Heartland receive the help through tuition payments to A. T. Still University.

“We’re so grateful for the Kirksville merchants and what they mean to this institution.  We also know that this institution means much to the Kirksville Community,” said A. T. Still University President Dr. Jack Magruder.

Dr. Magruder says they encourage all recipients to visit the area merchants that have helped them.  Since the fund was established in 1989, 83 students have received the scholarship and more than $50,000 has been awarded.

Student body president Ashley Warren says the foundation represents what A. T. Still was looking for when he came to Kirksville.  The community became his home and welcomed him just like they welcome A. T. S. U. students.

“I think that they really are the students that represent what this university stands for the most and I think that they represent well rounded future physicians who focus on osteopathy and how they can incorporate mind, body, and spirit into their practice one day,” said Warren.

The 2009 recipients are Deana Berrey, Lindsay Sobotka, Brianne Wehner, Richard Lambert, and Steve Lyons.

Wehner has received the award for the past three years and says the extra money helps her afford books, supplies, and even extra curricular activities.  She says it helps provide balance between her studies and social life.

“We spend a lot of time studying in the classroom and a lot of time studying outside so it is good to have a little bit of down time here and there.  So it does provide me that opportunity where otherwise I wouldn’t do as many of those things,” said Wehner.

Wehner and Warren say medical school can be expensive and it’s nice to have a community that supports you financially and otherwise.