A special ceremony during Sunday’s Purdue Men’s Basketball game (January 22) brought well-deserved recognition to a long-time supporter of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Joy Matson was honored at center court during a game break, as the public address announcer called the attention of the sell-out crowd to the special presentation arranged as part of the Hammer Down Cancer Game sponsored by the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.
Dr. Andrew Mesecar, the institute’s interim director, presented an honorary game ball to Joy as he was joined by Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed, the Dean of Purdue Libraries Beth McNeil, and Purdue Pete. “Please help us in thanking the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research and Joy for all they are doing to Hammer Down Cancer,” the game announcer said. He continued, “Joy does not know this, but we have something else for her. For nearly 20 years, Joy has served on several advisory boards and has supported multiple areas on campus including Purdue Libraries, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, and the John Purdue Club.”
At that point, Purdue President Mung Chiang presented the Distinguished Pinnacle Award to Joy. The Pinnacle Award is one of the highest honors an individual can receive. It is reserved for those who have given of themselves to enable Purdue students and faculty to shape the future.
While Joy is not a Purdue graduate, she is one of the most loyal Boilermakers around. Joy is a longtime client of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and a loyal PVM donor, having most recently named the Joy M. Matson Multipurpose Room within the new David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex. She received the Distinguished Pinnacle Award for her comprehensive giving of $1 million to Purdue.