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

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