Veterinary Students take First and Fourth Place in AVMHS Essay Contest

June 29, 2018

Dr. Jessica Zeigler (PU DVM 2018)

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine was well represented in the American Veterinary Medical History Society (AVMHS) 2018 J. Fred Smithcors Student Veterinary History Essay Contest. Congratulations to Jessica Zeiger, of the DVM Class of 2018, for winning first place and Janna Draper, of the DVM Class of 2019, for winning fourth place.

Jessica’s essay was entitled, “Perceptions of Conception: The History of Artificial Insemination,” and Janna wrote about the topic, “History of Ebola and the Role of Veterinarians.” This is neither students’ first-time winning the essay contest. Jessica has submitted four essays in the past three years. In 2016 she won fourth place, she took first and second place in 2017, and during her senior year she won first place again! For Janna, this is her second prize winning entry. Last year, she won third place.

Janna Draper, DVM Class of 2019

PVM Professor of Veterinary History David Williams, who serves as president of the AVMHS, is proud of the students and says their success reflects the College’s commitment to providing education about the history of veterinary medicine. Both students completed all five of Professor Williams’ veterinary history courses. In total, PVM students submitted seven essays to the competition this year.

The AVMHS established the annual J. Fred Smithcors Student Veterinary History Essay Contest in 1991 to promote interest in history by encouraging participation from students enrolled in veterinary medical colleges in the United States, Canada, and West Indies. The contest is named in honor of Dr. J. Fred Smithcors for his many contributions to veterinary history as founder of the AVMHS, author of several books on veterinary history, as well as an educator, publisher, and editor. The winning entries are selected by a panel of AVMHS judges through a blind judging process in which the writers’ identities are kept secret. The winners receive cash prizes awarded in memory of Dr. Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence.

Writer(s): Rachel Nellett, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, sincere gratitude is shared with Abby Props who is the Pathology Laboratory Supervisor in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Student Landscape Project Benefits Animals at Purdue Veterinary Hospital

A student-led landscape redesign project has taken root at Purdue University, in the form of outdoor upgrades at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. Originally developed by Mary Schultz, a graduating senior in the College of Agriculture’s Horticulture and Landscape Architecture program, the project reimagined outdoor spaces used for animal recovery, training, and enrichment. This summer, the hospital implemented one of the recommendations, which involved replacing natural turf in an outdoor dog run with a new synthetic material.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Welcomes New Students

As the heat and long days of summer subsided and the start of a new school year approached, the sense of excitement and new beginnings pervaded Lynn Hall over the last couple of weeks with the arrival of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s new DVM and Veterinary Technology students. The DVM students in the Class of 2029 participated in a week-long onboarding program that started Monday, August 18, while the Veterinary Technology students in the first and second years of the program were welcomed with an Ice Cream Social and orientation program at the start of the fall semester.

Approaching Purdue Veterinary Conference Mixes CE and Celebration in September

The start of a new academic year signals the approach of the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference and the last chance to get an early-bird discount on registration. The conference is scheduled for September 16-20 on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, and features a variety of specialized tracks as well as special events. Early bird registration ends September 1, and late fees will apply as of September 2.

Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine Names New Senior Director of Admissions and Student Success

A key Purdue Veterinary Medicine staff member who has played a vital role in admissions and recruitment will now serve as the new senior director of admissions and student success. Lori Stout has been promoted to the position and Dean Bret Marsh announced the appointment Tuesday, August 26.

Lecture Hall Murals by Acclaimed Artist Continue to Inspire Lynn Hall Visitors

Two murals by artist Harry Boone have been part of Lynn Hall’s large lecture hall for more than 20 years. Commissioned in 1998, the works continue to leave a lasting impression, and Boone recently returned to campus to see them again.