A resident of Baltimore, MD, Rash burnished his vet school application with lots of hands-on training, original published research, and an internship with a practicing veterinarian. 

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, May 20, 2026—As a youngster, Michael Rash knew he wanted to work with animals someday. After first considering a career as a zookeeper, he decided to aim even higher and earn a degree in veterinary medicine. Since vet schools are highly competitive and have limited admission slots, Rash knew he’d need to attend an undergraduate university with excellent academics, hands-on training with animals, and opportunities for independent research.

            “At a college fair, Centenary really stood out,” recalled Rash, a resident of Baltimore, Md. “While most schools offer bachelor’s degrees in biology, Centenary has an animal health program that’s specifically for pre-vet students and a great track record for vet school acceptances. But the biggest thing that drew me to Centenary is its small size. You’re not just a number here. You can connect with other people, including faculty. You also get a lot of experience working directly with horses at the Equestrian Center. That doesn’t happen at larger universities.”

            On Saturday, May 16, Rash earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal Health, with a minor in biology, at Centenary University’s 151^st commencement. A Dean’s List student and member of Centenary’s Honors Program, he has been accepted to Long Island University Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine.

            As a first-year student at Centenary, Rash dove head-first into gaining the experience to make his vet school applications stand out. For three years, he shadowed Centenary’s equine professionals—including Jesslyn Bryk-Lucy, DVM, the university’s resident veterinarian—caring for the horses. He also worked closely with Dr. Bryk-Lucy on his Honors Program capstone project, which examined the effects of floating—a procedure that uses loud tools to properly grind down equine teeth—on human hearing. “There’s limited research on how the veterinary profession affects human health,” Rash explained. “I had to rely on activities like groundskeeping and concerts, which we know can affect human hearing.” Rash’s study was published by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, a leading organization for equine professionals.

            In addition, Rash’s impressive resume includes an internship—and later employment—at the Animal Health Center in Stewartsville, NJ. As a veterinary technician with Robert R. Blease, DVM, Rash has gained vital skills working with smaller animals like cats and dogs, and has also observed how the veterinarian interacts with his human clients. “Dr. Blease has a lot of experience, so this has been a very valuable experience for me,” said Rash. “He also has a longtime client base with established relationships. This has been such a meaningful experience and I am thankful for Dr. Blease and the entire team for helping me to accomplish my goals.”

            On campus, Rash is a resident assistant and First-Year Leader, a role for experienced college students to mentor first-year Centenary students. He also tutors science courses like general biology, genetics, and animal anatomy. His message to students considering Centenary for pre-vet studies: “It’s not worth attending a college for animal health if you’re never going to see an animal on campus. Visit Centenary and see for yourself what it’s like here. Honestly, other schools—especially bigger universities—don’t have the hands-on experiences we have at Centenary.” 

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the United Methodist Church, Centenary University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation and career-focused learning. Located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with an equestrian center in Washington Township, Centenary provides students with hands-on, personalized educational experiences that prepare them for success in a global and evolving workforce.  Guided by its commitment to student success, university vitality, and world engagement, Centenary empowers students to lead lives of purpose, impact, and lifelong achievement.