UMO’s Madison Champagne Prepares for Career in Rural Veterinary Care

For Madison Champagne, reaching graduation and the next step into veterinary school has not been about following a set plan. Rather, it has been more about paying attention, adjusting when needed, and trusting that things will come together the way they are supposed to.

Champagne, who was raised in Pageland, South Carolina, has always been drawn to animals, even if her upbringing did not take place on a traditional farm. What started with pets grew into something more overtime, especially after she became involved in her high school’s agriculture program. These days, she jokes that her family place is more of a “micro farm.”

“I first thought I wanted to pursue veterinary medicine as a little kid,” she said. “But I didn’t think it would be possible.” 

Like many students, her interests shifted as she got older. At one point, she considered going into law. It was not until the COVID-19 pandemic, when she spent more time working with animals through her school’s farm program, that things started to come back into focus. Being in a rural area and seeing the shortage of large animal veterinarians made the decision feel more real and more necessary.

That decision led her to the University of Mount Olive in August 2023. One campus visit was all it took. “On my tour, I fell in love with the campus, professors, and community,” she said. “Before I left that day, I knew this is where I wanted to go.” 

Since then, Champagne has built a strong academic record, maintaining a 3.94 GPA while staying deeply involved on campus. She has served as president of the Animal Science Club, worked as a resident assistant, and spent time tutoring other students, all while managing a demanding course load.

Her college experience has not come without a few sudden changes. One of the most significant came when a planned internship fell through just before summer. Within days, everything shifted. Soon after, she found herself heading to Kentucky for an opportunity at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, working in a setting that pushed her outside of her comfort zone. “Every time something changes unexpectedly, it turns into a good thing,” she said. “I’ve learned to see the good in the bad.” 

That outlook is something she credits to both her faith and her family. Her parents, Amber and Terry Champagne, have supported her every step of the way, encouraging her to follow what feels right rather than forcing a specific direction. At UMO, that support has continued through faculty who helped guide her along the way. Professors such as Dr. Heather Glennon, Dr. Will Farmer, Dr. Sara Lahman, and Dr. Brenda Cates have played a role in helping her stay on track and prepare for what comes next. “They have been incredibly supportive,” she said. “Without their guidance, I would not have succeeded.” 

Hands-on learning and real-world experiences have helped confirm that she is in the right field. Her internship experience in Kentucky, particularly working with horses in an equine medical setting, provided clarity about the work she hopes to pursue. “That experience was unlike anything I had done before,” Champagne said. “It gave me a clear picture of what this career looks like day-to-day and confirmed that this is where I belong.”

That preparation has led to her acceptance into veterinary school at Clemson University, where she will begin her studies in August 2026 with a scholarship that covers her full tuition. For Champagne, the decision came down to both fit and familiarity. She had previously been accepted to Clemson as an undergraduate student, but at the time chose UMO for its smaller campus environment. Now, she looks forward to returning to a place she has long admired, joining a growing veterinary program close to home.

With veterinary school ahead, Champagne is ready for what comes next and for the work waiting beyond it.  She plans to focus on large animal veterinary medicine, with the goal of returning to a rural community like the one she grew up in. She hopes to work as a mobile veterinarian, helping farmers and families who may not have easy access to care. “I want to support the community that supported me,” she said. “And be a steady presence, doing work that matters for the people and animals who depend on it.”

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.