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.
The AVAP is an organization of development, public relations and alumni relations professionals that seeks to promote the success of veterinary medical education through the professional development of its membership. Representing Purdue on the national stage, Wickard and Shepherd tag-teamed as they talked about how a culture built on collaboration, trust and a shared purpose has strengthened alumni engagement and philanthropic success across the college. Their message was simple: when Alumni Relations and Development work as one team, everyone wins.
With a baton as a visual aid, the pair discussed throughout the presentation their philosophy of “passing the baton” in a seamless handoff between alumni engagement and development that ensures every interaction is centered on the needs of alumni and donors rather than organizational boundaries. They stressed that, with this approach, there is no competition for recognition – only a shared commitment to building lifelong relationships.
“We care about serving our alumni and donors well,” Wickard said. “If passing the baton creates a better experience for them, then that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
The presentation also highlighted the momentum associated with PVM Dean Bret Marsh’s leadership. As a Purdue Veterinary Medicine graduate who also earned his undergraduate degree at Purdue in the College of Agriculture, Dean Marsh brings a strong appreciation for the college’s culture, traditions, and mission. His genuine passion for Purdue has energized involvement by faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, and fostered excitement and opportunities to strengthen relationships across the veterinary community.
Wickard and Shepherd also described how that momentum has inspired their team to meet alumni and donors where they are, whether on campus, at alumni receptions, in their homes, or at veterinary conferences across the country. By engaging, listening, and building strong relationships, they are creating meaningful connections that last far beyond a single event.
The presentation also reflected the presenters’ own Purdue roots. Both Wickard and Shepherd are graduates of the Purdue University College of Agriculture, where they learned the value of teamwork, servant leadership, and building relationships that make a lasting impact.
Wickard and Shepherd emphasized that rather than operating in separate lanes, Alumni Relations and Development should function as partners with one common mission: advancing Purdue Veterinary Medicine by strengthening lifelong relationships with alumni, donors, students, and friends of the college.
“We are not running separate races – we are teammates in the same marathon building relationships in veterinary medicine,” said Shepherd. As attendees left the session, they were reminded that successful advancement isn’t about one office or one individual. It’s about people working together with a shared vision, because when the baton is passed with purpose – and every person is running the same race – the entire college moves forward together.
