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FAYETTE, Mo. -- A new full-tuition scholarship will soon be available for qualifying pre-med students at Central Methodist University, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Carl and Catherine Lester. The Dr. Carl O & Catherine A Lester Pre-Med Scholarship Fund will be fully-funded in three years and is just a part of the Lesters' legacy of support that demonstrates Dr. Lester's commitment to Central and his profession as an orthopedic surgeon.
"I am proud to be a Central Methodist grad from the pre-med program," said Dr. Lester, who graduated from then-Central College in 1961. "I have no hesitation to recommend CMU to future medical students."
Lester, who earned a chemistry degree from Central before going on to medical school at the University of Illinois, has also given back to Central as a member and president of the alumni board and through regular donations to the Central Annual Fund. The Lesters previously established a Pre-Med Hall of Sponsors Scholarship in 2021, which will continue to be funded.
"We could think of no greater reason than the shortage of doctors and postgraduate debt to promote our scholarship," said Dr. Lester.
The Lesters currently reside in Marshalltown. They have three daughters and recently celebrated two grandsons' graduations from medical school.