Donor Spotlight: Ms. Joy Matson

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Ever since she was a little girl, Joy Matson wanted to be a veterinarian and have a horse of her own. She started working as early as 2^nd grade to save money for college and a horse, delivering newspapers as a child and then working at a department store during the evenings when she was in high school.

No stranger to hard work, after high school Joy enrolled in the pre-vet, pre-med, and pre-dental programs at the University of Illinois. Her parents did not have excess money, so she worked for an animal science professor during the school year and stayed at school in the summer to continue to work and take classes.

“Though some of the work was not my favorite, such as cleaning the manure in the chicken and rooster cages, I did make the work fun,” Joy shared. “I named some of my favorite animals because they responded to me talking to them. The professor and his PhD candidates did not believe I could tell the White Leghorn chickens apart because there were several and they all looked alike. One day when I was cleaning, the chickens were in different cages and I asked what was going on. Apparently, they moved the chickens around to see if I really could tell who was who.”

As Joy approached graduation, the animal science professor she worked for, who had become like a father to her, encouraged her to stay and get her PhD. “When the time came to graduate, I was tired of being poor. I decided to go to work before applying to veterinary school,” Joy said. She took a position with a pharmaceutical company in Chicago.

A horse and a cow eat outside a barn in the grass

“Life happened and I never applied to vet school, but the Good Lord has greatly blessed me with everything I could ever want, allowing me to get my first horse at age 32, and I have been adopting and rescuing animals ever since,” Joy explained. “I have a 30-ish-year-old pony that I rescued five years ago, and I frequently hug her neck, thanking God for His timing on entrusting me with her care.”

Joy’s career success has given her the ability to help not only animals, but also many others in need. Over the years, she has generously supported Purdue University through her time and talents, giving to the College of Veterinary Medicine and many other areas on Purdue’s campus, participating in the President’s Council, and serving on several advisory boards.

Joy recently made a significant gift during the Purdue Day of Giving to support the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex and equipment fund. When asked what inspired her to give to this project, she answered, “The Lord has allowed an abundance of income to flow through me, and He always shows me where His money is most needed.”

When asked about Joy, Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed recalled, “Joy was extremely helpful in my transition to Purdue and has been a great friend over the years. She has been a great supporter of PVM and one of our loudest cheerleaders.” He added, “Her love for animals and the people who care for them is unmatched. The College of Veterinary Medicine is grateful to Joy for inspiring others with her passion for animals, and for enhancing the lives of animals and humans through her support for our college. Thank you, Joy!”