Three new initiatives designed to help Purdue Veterinary Medicine students and recruitment efforts are being funded by the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association (PVAA). The PVAA Board of Directors approved the support over the summer, after seeking input from Dr. Jim Weisman (PU DVM ’97), assistant dean for student affairs, and Dr. Sandy San Miguel (PU DVM ’93; PhD ’95), associate dean for engagement.
The PVAA board allocated $3,000 to support fourth-year DVM students by helping to cover the cost of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) that the students need to meet heightened safety measures put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The added PPE supplies provide protection for the students while they work in the Veterinary Hospital and gain valuable hands-on experiences during their clinical year.
Additionally, the board allocated $2,000 to support the recently established food pantry located in Lynn Hall for the Purdue University community. In conjunction with Purdue’s ACE Campus Food Pantry and Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. of Lafayette, the pantry is stocked with food for anyone in the PVM family facing food insecurity. This resource helps to ensure that students have the nourishment they need to thrive academically as they cope with demanding schedules. Located outside of Lynn B197, the pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. for all students, faculty, and staff to utilize.
The board also approved $3,000 for Boiler Vet Camp scholarships that will help students representing diversity in race and ethnicity who want to attend either the junior or senior camps. This allocation is aimed at supporting the college’s engagement activities that seek to broaden diversity in veterinary medicine. A sub-committee was established to determine the criteria for awarding the scholarships.
The PVAA board made the budget decisions as part of the approval of its 2020-2021 fiscal-year budget. The PVAA is a membership-based organization representing the entire PVM alumni base and functions as a subsidiary of the Purdue Alumni Association (PAA). All funding for the PVAA is generated through membership dues and seed money from the PAA. New graduates enjoy a year of free membership and then half-priced membership for two years. Membership in the PVAA is only $30 per calendar year.
The PVAA Board of Directors is made up of representatives from each of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association regional districts, as well as Veterinary Nursing representatives from across Indiana. Other seats on the board include young alumni seats, as well as members-at-large from across the nation. The 24 member board is led by an executive committee made-up of Dr. Erin Kosta-Wilson (PU DVM 2008), president; Dr. Angela Demaree (PU DVM 2002), president-elect; and Dr. Jerry Rodenbarger (PU DVM ’79), secretary/treasurer. Dr. John Feutz (PU DVM 2005) is the immediate past-president.
Click here for more information or to join the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association. Interested in serving on the PVAA Board of Directors? Please email Susan Xioufaridou at: susanx@purdue.edu.