Purdue VOICE receives Chapter of the Year and Excellence in Servitude and External Relations Awards

February 11, 2022

This year, the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Chapter of Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE) was recognized by the national VOICE organization with two awards: Excellence in Servitude and External Relations and Chapter of the Year. The Excellence in Servitude and External Relations Award recognizes a VOICE chapter which, in the past year, demonstrated exceptional commitment to serving their community through service and outreach. The Chapter of the Year is awarded annually to a chapter that fully encompasses the purpose of VOICE and exceeds the chapter requirements that are spelled out in the National Constitution and Bylaws.

The Purdue chapter was notified of the awards in early January in conjunction with the VOICE National Meeting held virtually January 7-9, 2022. Each award includes a $500 prize, meaning the Purdue chapter received a total of $1,000 to support future programming and the chapter’s continued excellence.

“We want to express our gratitude towards VOICE National for these awards,” said Purdue VOICE Chapter President Tyra Jenkins. “We work hard to help make the college as inclusive and welcoming as possible and we plan to use this funding to keep promoting diverse and inclusive programming for our community.”

Purdue VOICE is a unique organization that seeks to bridge the gap between professors, veterinary students, and veterinary nursing students, encouraging people from various backgrounds to exchange ideas, celebrate diversity, and discover common ground. All are welcome to experience chapter events, such as panel discussions and keynote speakers, and to learn more about the PVM family both personally and professionally.

“We believe VOICE is an important organization because its events are hosted by students for students,” Tyra said.

VOICE National is a student-run organization that seeks to increase awareness, respect, and sensitivity to differences among all individuals and communities in the field of veterinary medicine. VOICE also aims to celebrate diversity within the profession, to encourage campus environments that embrace diversity and promote the success of all students, and to emphasize the importance of cross-cultural awareness in veterinary medicine to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse clientele.

In addition to the Chapter of the Year and Excellence in Servitude and External Relations awards, the national organization also presented awards for Programming Excellence and the Most Improved Chapter during the national meeting. Those awards went to VOICE chapters at the University of Georgia and Colorado State University, respectively.

Writer(s): Hailee Rolofson, PVM Communications Intern | 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.