Purdue Day of Giving Proves Remarkable for Purdue Veterinary Medicine!

Three individuals are standing in front of a window. All three are wearing olive green medical scrubs. — Fourth-year veterinary students (l-r) Angela Ruiz, Kyle Barron, and Daja Hollis joined in the Purdue Day of Giving festivities as students, staff and faculty enjoyed donuts and coffee with Dean Bret Marsh in the morning on April 29.

As the final seconds ticked away at the conclusion of the 13^th Purdue Day of Giving April 29, the numbers revealed an astounding day of giving for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. The college landed in fourth place on the university’s Donation Leaderboard with a fundraising total of more than $5.95 million, behind only the Daniels School of Business, Athletics, and the College of Engineering.

The college not only achieved success in terms of the final tally, but based on its percentage of the total amount raised by the university on the Purdue Day of Giving, PVM received $6,279 in bonus funds. The day’s activities also fostered a sense of community and camaraderie. Events included Coffee and Donuts with Dean Bret Marsh during the morning in the hallway that connects Lynn Hall with the Brunner Small Animal Hospital. During the day, a photo booth provided opportunities for students to take festive photos for a chance to win extra cash for their clubs. And from 4:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon, staff, students and faculty were able to gather with the PVM Canine Educators for photo ops in front of the Continuum Sculpture, as the college marks 25 years since the landmark art installation was dedicated.

A group of six people are standing in front of a colorful mural. The group is comprised of people in business casual attire and others in blue medical scrubs. — Purdue’s First Lady Kei Hui (2^nd from left) visited PVM and paused for a photo with Senior Development Director April Shepherd (left), 4^th-year veterinary students Adrian Dixon and Ashley Rauda, Dean Bret Marsh and veterinary technician Ashlee Hershman, RVT (right).

Dean Marsh said the college truly was honored by the generosity demonstrated by the host of donors who contributed on the Purdue Day of Giving, including alumni, friends, faculty and staff. “The total donated to our college represented a 260% increase over the amount raised during the previous Day of Giving,” Dean Marsh shared. “We are so grateful for every contribution, large and small, each of which shows how people value and support the great work being done by the great people in our college. We couldn’t be more honored and appreciative.”

Gifts to Purdue Veterinary Medicine included three over $1 million:

$3.045 million to the College of Veterinary Medicine for oncology research through an estate gift
$1.3 million estate gift for scholarships, research and Veterinary Hospital support
$1 million to a College of Veterinary Medicine scholarship endowment from the Adam and John Brown Foundation

“The success of the Purdue Day of Giving reflects the dedication of our teams and the momentum surrounding the College of Veterinary Medicine,” said April Shepherd, PVM senior director of development. “It was a testament to what can be accomplished and a glimpse of what is to come. I’m grateful to have played even a small role in such a meaningful day.”

four women are posed in front of a Purdue University photo backdrop. They are incorporating props into their photo and one of the women is holding a sign that says "#PURDUEVETMED" — A photo booth gave students like Veterinary Business Management Association members Lois Sadlowski, Ashley Diecks, Alexis Hernandez and Katrina Gangstad, all of the Class of 2028, a chance to strike a festive pose and gain a chance to win extra funds for their club.

A special thank you to everyone who participated in the college’s Purdue Day of Giving activities, whether by capturing a photo op or making a gift. The success reflected everyone’s involvement! Thank you again!

A large group of people is posed in front of a sculptural stone outside of a brick building. They are positioned in front of a backdrop that says "Day of Giving". There is a dog in the front-center of the group. — The Purdue Day of Giving at Lynn Hall concluded with a chance to get keepsake photos with PVM’s Canine Educators at the Continuum Sculpture.

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

Recent Stories

Fourth-year Purdue Veterinary Student Wins National Simmons Business Aptitude Award

For the first time, a Purdue veterinary student has won the national Simmons Educational Fund (SEF) Business Aptitude Award. The recipient is Luke Bousema of the DVM Class of 2026. The award includes a cash prize of $35,000.

“Paws Up” for the Academic Advising Team

This week, our Paws Up shines on the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Technology Program Advising Team as we celebrate the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) 2026 Global Advising Week.

Purdue Veterinary Student Honored by ASLAP Veterinary Student Award Program

The American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) Foundation annually recognizes five graduating fourth-year veterinary students who have demonstrated significant interest and potential in the field, and one of this year’s honorees is Purdue veterinary student Mollie Madigan, MLAS. Through the award program, the ASLAP seeks to increase awareness of the practice of laboratory animal medicine.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Alumnus Daniel Wilson Receives Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award

A member of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s DVM Class of 2012 is the newest recipient of the Purdue Department of Animal Sciences Distinguished Mid-Career Alumni Award. Dr. Daniel Wilson, of Needham, Indiana was presented with the award Friday, May 1 at the 2026 Outstanding Students and Distinguished Alumni Awards Program that recognized students and alumni for their achievements, leadership and contributions to the department and industry.

CPB Graduate Student Wins Runner-Up Prize in Purdue “Say it in 6” Competition

Graduate Research Assistant Shyamkumar T.S. in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology was recognized as the runner-up in a unique graduate student competition at Purdue this spring. The contest is called, “Say It In 6®” and requires graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to tell their research story with only one picture and just a six-word caption.

Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program launching a new, streamlined plan of study for fall 2026

Starting in fall 2026, Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program will launch a streamlined curriculum that reduces total credits to 64 and allows for completion in just eight semesters. This revamped plan enhances student support by offering new elective specializations and a dedicated national exam prep course, all while maintaining the program's high accreditation standards.

Breast Cancer Drug Supinoxin Shows Potential for Small-cell Lung Cancer Treatment in New Tests

Purdue University scientists led by co-principal investigators in the Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine have identified the Supinoxin small-molecule drug as a possible new therapy for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PVM White Coat Ceremony Celebrates Major Milestone for DVM Class of 2026

The Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms provided a classic setting for an annual event that has become a cherished tradition of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Members of the DVM Class of 2026 gathered with family, friends and faculty and staff on the evening of April 12 for the annual White Coat Ceremony that signals the transition of the third year veterinary students from the classroom to the clinics.

Tail-Wagging Success Characterizes PVM’s Participation in Purdue Day of Giving

As the day dawned Wednesday, April 30, evidence came pouring in that Boilermakers everywhere – whether alumni, friends and/or fans – were answering the call to make the 2025 Purdue Day of Giving our loudest and proudest “All hail!” yet. And Purdue Veterinary Medicine played a part in the success!

PVM’s Oncology Team Buoys Purdue Institute for Cancer Research 5K Fundraising Run

It is no surprise that the members of Purdue’s Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center (WCORC) in the College of Veterinary Medicine would not back down from a challenge, especially when it comes to supporting innovative cancer research. So, true to form, about two-dozen representatives of the center could be found out on the course Saturday, April 12, participating in the 17th annual 5K Challenge fundraising run to support the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.