Skip to main content

Development Spotlight Shines on Veterinary Hospital and Dog Jog Endowment Campaigns

Philanthropy makes a difference in the College of Veterinary Medicine every day, as donors contribute in support of people and programs to improve animal and human health and well-being and support the education of future veterinary professionals.  The gifts given are a reflection on the good work of faculty, staff, and students who often are the vital link between the college and generous supporters, says Chief Development Officer Tanya Finkbiner.

So, to help shine a light on the impact of philanthropy on our college, the Purdue Veterinary Medicine development team is beginning a series of spotlight announcements that will appear in the Vet Gazette periodically.  “We want to help our people understand the impact they are having as they help foster and strengthen relationships with donors,” Tanya said.  “To start we want to spotlight two campaigns currently underway.”

Leave A Print Campaign

“Construction on the new veterinary hospital is moving ahead steadily, and so is progress toward our Leave A Print fundraising campaign goal,” Tanya said. The initiative to help fully fund the new hospital project has a goal of $8.1 million. Over $3.5 million has been received to-date! “Every donation helps us get closer to new, state-of-the-art facilities,” said Tanya.

An infographic depicting fundraising progress toward a financial goal with a progress bar.

Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog Endowment Campaign

The 2020 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, one of the longest-running traditions of the Purdue Veterinary Conference, was cancelled to best support the health and safety of participants and the community during the continued COVID-19 pandemic. Though this is disappointing for everyone, there’s still a way you can help to ensure that the event will continue in the years to come.

In the past, proceeds from the event have benefited important programs like PetSafe and Priority 4 Paws to serve the animals in need in our community. Last year, proceeds totaling more than $10,100 went to PetSafe. 

This year, you can honor the legacy of Professor Emeritus Skip Jackson and help this event live on in perpetuity by donating your typical registration fee of $25 (individual registration) or $30 (individual + pet registration) or more, and help us reach our goal of $25,000 by August 2023.*  Those funds will make it possible to establish an endowment that will cover the expenses associated with hosting the event every year. A total of $10,900 has been raised to date, and your help is needed to get to the finish line.

dog jog participants walk along the path with their dog as other participants follow in the background

*If the $25,000 goal is not met by 2023, the fund will not be endowed to continue in perpetuity. All funds received will be used to support expenses associated with future Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog events until depleted.

Writer(s): Tanya Finkbiner and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Annual Purdue Veterinary Conference draws veterinary professionals from across the country for learning and fun

The 2026 edition of the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference attracted attendees from around the U.S. for three days of educational sessions covering an array of topics.  With the overall theme of “One Health: Modern Veterinary Medicine,” the conference September 23-26 on the Purdue University campus drew more than 450 veterinarians and veterinary technicians, plus faculty, staff and students. Sessions taught by a total of 65 speakers, including many Purdue Veterinary Medicine clinicians and veterinary technicians/technologists, enabled conference-goers to earn up to 23 continuing education credit hours.

Significant Gift from Jordan Smelski Foundation will fuel Purdue Veterinary Medicine research on deadly brain eating amoeba

A researcher in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology has received a generous gift of more than $100,000 from the Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba Awareness and Mr. Steve Smelski to support research of the deadly amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Christopher Rice, PhD, assistant professor of parasitology and principal investigator of the Rice Research Group, leads a research team seeking to discover and repurpose drugs against primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but typically fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri.

Purdue veterinary student receives Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship awarded by AKC Humane Fund

The AKC® Humane Fund, Inc.℠ has announced the 2026 recipients of the Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond, and one of the recipients is Purdue veterinary student Tiffany Chang of the Class of 2027. Chang is one of only five students chosen for the scholarships.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Unites with Purdue United Way Campaign

With the goal of raising $700,000 by November 4 to support local nonprofit organizations that help individuals and families in Greater Lafayette, the Purdue United Way campaign took off September 23 with an official campaign launch on the front lawn of the Purdue Memorial Union. Purdue Veterinary Medicine, along with the university’s other colleges and units, will participate with the help of PVM faculty and staff ambassadors working to make it easy for people in the college to respond, whether by giving, or by indicating that they do not wish to give. As part of the PVM drive to support the campaign, Dean Bret Marsh and his wife, Polly, are contributing a match for campaign contributions from college faculty and staff. Additionally, a drawing will be held to select winners from those who contribute.

“Paws Up” – for Dr. Yasumasa Iimori – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we commend Yasumasa Iimori, DVM, PhD, who is a resident in Emergency and Critical Care in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.