In Memory: Evan Werling, PVM Friend and Benefactor

April 14, 2023

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened to learn that longtime friend of the college, Evan Werling, of Nashville, Indiana, passed away Sunday, April 9 at his home. He was 77.

Evan is remembered as a faithful, loving husband, CPA, and international entrepreneur. He also loved serving as a career mentor. His connection with Purdue began more than 40 years ago when he first gave lectures to engineering students on the importance of having a strong financial background for career success. When the Werlings’ beloved dog, Brandi, was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2005, Evan and Sue Ann developed an enduring relationship with the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Deborah Knapp, Distinguished Professor and the Dolores L. McCall Professor of Comparative Oncology, helped enroll Brandi in two studies that extended her life 15 months when the median survival time with most treatments at the time ranged from four to nine months.

The exceptional care Brandi received inspired the Werlings to create an endowment for canine cancer research at Purdue in 2020. Then, just this past December, the Purdue Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center, with Dr. Knapp as director, in recognition of the Werlings’ extraordinary support, which established the center as a part of the College of Veterinary Medicine to partner with the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research to advance cancer research benefiting pets and humans.

“Evan was a caring, passionate, and loyal friend of our college who truly sought to inspire and encourage us to do our utmost for the benefit of animal patients and the advancement of medical science,” said College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed. “He will be deeply missed.” Evan’s loving family and the caring staff of IU Hospice were with him when he passed. A Celebration of Life service is being held this afternoon (Friday, April 14) at 2:00 p.m. at Voss and Son’s Funeral Home in Seymour, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Brown County Humane Society, 128 State Road 135 South, Nashville, IN 47448. Online condolences may be shared with the Werling family at www.vossfuneralservice.com.

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

Recent Stories

Taco ’bout our amazing people!

With the conclusion of the summer season rapidly approaching, faculty and staff at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine were treated to a taco luncheon on Friday, August 14 in appreciation of their excellence and dedication throughout the year. Though the event couldn't take place in the Lynn Hall Courtyard as originally planned, the rainy weather that day did not dampen the celebration of the college's incredible faculty and staff.

Reception honors visiting Japanese DVM and veterinary technology students

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s partnership with two veterinary schools in Japan was the basis for a celebratory reception at the end of last week, as the college honored visiting students from Kitasato University and Rakuno Gakuen University. The eight member delegation included four DVM students and a faculty member from Kitasato University and two veterinary nursing students and a faculty member from Rakuno Gakuen University. The reception on Friday morning, August 14, served as an informal farewell and included a brief recognition program when each of the Japanese visitors received a commemorative certificate.

ADDL and CPB Department welcome new pathology residents and intern

A trio of veterinary graduates started their pathology residencies at Purdue Veterinary Medicine this summer while a fourth veterinarian began a pathology internship in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. This newest class of students pursuing post-DVM training in pathology includes Purdue veterinary alumni and graduates of universities abroad.

PVM Team Shares Collaborative Approach at National Advancement Conference

When alumni and donors choose to invest their time, talents, and resources in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, they typically are not focusing on departments or organizational charts—they're thinking about the college they love. That simple idea was the foundation of a presentation delivered by Julia Wickard, executive director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association and constituent liaison, and April Shepherd, PVM’s senior director of development, at the Association of Veterinary Advancement Professionals (AVAP) Annual Meeting, which was held July 8-10, just prior to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Annual Convention in Anaheim, California.

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

This week we are happy to highlight Lanora Lannan, who is the client liaison for Small Animal Primary Care.