Skip to main content

PVM Rolls out Welcome Mat as Prospective Students Put Best Feet Forward on Interview Days

Student Ambassadors and Dean Reed stop for a photo together during the reception in the library for prospective students
Dean Willie Reed with veterinary student ambassadors (left-right) Sophie Scheer, Naja Williams, and Riley Lautenschlager, all of the Class of 2025, at the reception that concluded the third day of DVM prospective student interviews January 23.

After a three-year hiatus, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine resumed in-person interviews for prospective DVM students seeking admission to the next first-year class, the Class of 2028. A total of 211 applicants responded to invitations to come to Lynn Hall for one of three half-day interview sessions. The first session was held on Friday, December 1 for Indiana residents and the second and third sessions were offered to non-resident applicants on two consecutive Fridays last month, January 19 and 26.

Balloons decorate the entrance to the library where prospective students and their guests mingle with college faculty and students
A reception for prospective students and guests in the Veterinary Medical Library concluded each interview day as PVM student ambassadors, faculty and staff mingled with the applicants and their guests.

Throughout the afternoon on each of the interview days, the prospective students and their guests were able to hear presentations from PVM’s Wellness and Counseling Services, Global Engagement, and Purdue SAVMA. Additionally, Dean Willie Reed addressed each group, and the admissions team arranged tours of the new hospital facilities and coordinated student panel presentations. The afternoon programming on each interview day concluded with a reception in the Veterinary Medical Library where current PVM student ambassadors enthusiastically greeted the interviewees and answered questions.

“I’d really like to give special recognition to the DVM and Veterinary Nursing (VN) student ambassadors who helped with each interview day,” said Lori Stout, director of admissions and recruitment. The VN student ambassadors led non-stop tours of the hospital from 1:00-5:00 p.m. during each of the afternoons, and the DVM student ambassadors were on-hand throughout the afternoons to escort the interviewees to their interviews as well as to serve on the student panel. They also helped each day with set up and clean up.

“Special thanks also go to Admissions and Recruitment Assistant Director Austin Jennings and Barb Cochran, administrative assistant, as well as Amanda Taylor, lead administrative assistant in Student Services, for all their hard work in helping plan and execute three VERY successful interview days,” Lori said.

The Admission Committee’s next steps in the admissions process involve selecting which of the interviewed students will receive letters of acceptance. A total of 1,777 applications for admission were received. 

Thank you to each of the following student ambassadors who helped with the interview days:

Class of 2025
  • Megan Colborn
  • Sydney Gehlhausen
  • Riley Lautenschlager
  • Marissa Ramon
  • Sophie Scheer
  • Cameron Vaughn
  • Naja K. Williams               
  • Kaitlyn Wolfe
Class of 2026
  • Brianna Bernath
  • Melanie Figueroa
  • Mollie Madigan
  • Andrew Montgomery
  • Victoria Potter
  • Kendall Sattler
  • Kennedy Smith
Class of 2024
  • Amber Bakker
  • Kyra Dabbert
  • Bailey Hendricks
  • Brooke Hopkins
  • Monica Robinson

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

Recent Stories

Purdue Equine Hospital Team Comes to Aid of Horse Injured in Severe Storm in Michigan

For a horse named Sassy, Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Brunner Equine Hospital proved to be the right place at the right time to recover from a scary accident that happened during a severe storm in Michigan two weeks ago. According to Dr. Danielle Cucuzella, Purdue visiting assistant professor of large animal surgery, the Quarter Horse named Sassy was seriously hurt during near 100 mile-per-hour winds where she lived in Saint Louis, Michigan.

“Paws Up!” for 4th-year DVM students Colton and Kendall – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, we celebrate the caring and competence of two members of the new senior class of DVM students for their noteworthy service in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

College of Veterinary Medicine Graduates Honored at Two Ceremonies During Purdue’s 2026 Commencement Weekend

A change in Purdue University’s traditional commencement weekend schedule resulted in two ceremonies recognizing graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine in May.  This year, veterinary technology graduates were honored at a ceremony that was separate from the commencement program for the DVM graduates.  That’s because the university recognized all doctoral degree candidates in a single ceremony on Saturday, May 16. As a result, the veterinary technology degree recipients were honored Thursday, May 14, at one of several ceremonies for undergraduate degree candidates. Following that ceremony, the college hosted its traditional oath ceremony for the 2026 graduates of the Purdue Veterinary Technology program in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom.

White Coat Ceremony Celebrates Third-year Veterinary Students’ Transition to Clinical Year

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 2027 gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff on the evening of April 18 for the annual White Coat Ceremony that signals the transition of the third year veterinary students from the classroom to the clinics.

Popular Purdue Veterinary Medicine Bone Marrow Workshop Goes on the Road to Mexico

An annual program hosted by two bone marrow experts with Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine ties, once again attracted strong attendance but in a new international location. This year, Drs. Joanne B. Messick and Rose E. Raskin were invited to Mexico City to present the Annual Bone Marrow Workshop at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

“Paws Up” for Dr. Madeleine Swindell – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we share appreciation for Dr. Madeleine Swindell, who is a Purdue Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Rotating Intern.

Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Purdue Veterinary Medicine Staff

Applause and periodic shouts of “Bravo” punctuated the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual spring Outstanding Staff and Bravo Awards Ceremony. The program held in Lynn Hall on May 13 honored some two dozen staff members for meritorious accomplishments.