Graduation Celebration Honors Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Class of 2024

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Veterinary Nursing and DVM graduates gathered together on stage for the PVM Class of 2024 photo.

Mother’s Day had extra special meaning for families of the graduates in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Class of 2024, as the College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the annual Graduation Celebration and Oath Ceremony in the Purdue Memorial Union. The program, held on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, honored graduates earning their DVM and Veterinary Nursing degrees and included the recitation of the Veterinarian’s Oath and the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct.

Dean Willie Reed leads the processional through the PMU Ballrooms at the start of the PVM Graduation Celebration.

The ceremony followed the Purdue University commencement exercises that began at 9:30 a.m. in the Elliott Hall of Music. When the university program concluded, the PVM graduates and their families made their way to the Purdue Memorial Union for the college’s recognition ceremony. “It is wonderful that we can be together today to recognize our Class of 2024,” Dean Willie Reed said after he stepped to the podium in the PMU North Ballroom to start the program. Noting that the graduates had to persevere in overcoming a global pandemic to complete their Purdue veterinary education, Dean Reed emphasized that, “If ever there was a time to celebrate, this is it!”

The graduates next heard from invited speakers, including Dr. Angela Demaree (PU DVM 2002), president of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association; Dr. Lindsey Hedges (PU DVM 2011), president of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA); and Crystal Schaeffer, BS, RVT, president of the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association (IVTA). Then, just before the recognition of the Veterinary Nursing graduates, Dean Reed invited the Veterinary Nursing Class Responder, Kayleigh Clevenger, BS, RVT, to address her classmates and the assembled guests.

Veterinary Nursing graduate Kayleigh Clevenger served as the Veterinary Nursing Class Responder.

As the ceremony continued, Dr. Chad Brown (PU DVM 2001), Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs director, stepped to the podium to introduce each of the Veterinary Nursing graduates individually. As their names were announced, the graduates came forward, stepped onto the North Ballroom stage and received the veterinary nursing pin, which was presented by Holly McCalip, BS, RVT, instructional technologist in the Veterinary Nursing Program, as a symbol of their entry into the Veterinary Nursing profession. The graduates earning the Associate in Applied Science degree were recognized first, followed by those receiving their four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing.

Once all of the Veterinary Nursing graduates were assembled on the stage, they paused for a group photo and then remained on stage to recite their professional oath, which was led by Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT, senior instructional technologist for the Veterinary Nursing Program. All veterinary nurses present at the ceremony were invited to join the graduates in reciting the oath.

Then Dean Reed returned to the podium to address the DVM graduates. “Through your own personal commitment and hard work; your consistent and persistent effort during the pandemic to protect the health and safety of yourselves, your fellow students and our faculty and staff; as well as your willingness to work together and pursue goals beyond individual success, you have accomplished much,” Dean Reed said. “You understand your responsibilities to the profession, to your colleagues and most importantly, to the people and animals you will serve. We believe that you are indeed ready to assume your new role as veterinarians.”

Dr. Joe Chandler gave the class response for the DVM Class of 2024.

Dean Reed then invited one of the members of the DVM Class of 2024, Dr. Joe Chandler, to give the formal class response. Following Dr. Chandler’s comments, the associate dean for academic affairs, Dr. Kathy Salisbury, announced the names of the graduates as they came forward to take their place on the risers on the stage. Additionally, those graduates who had received honors and awards were recognized as they crossed the stage. Some of the students also wore a special Vet Up! stole, signifying their completion of both the DVM program and the Vet Up! DVM Scholars program that is part of the National Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Academy for Veterinary Medicine.

Once all of the DVM graduates were together on stage, an official group photo was taken, after which Dean Reed asked the graduates, faculty and all other veterinarians in attendance to join in reciting the Veterinarian’s Oath. Then the Veterinary Nursing graduates returned to the stage to join the DVM graduates for a photo of the entire PVM Class of 2024.

Congratulations to the following graduates who were recognized for receiving awards and honors (an asterisk by the name signifies that the award recipient also is a Vet Up! DVM Scholar).

Veterinary Nursing:

Raegan Rigney, BS, RVT, received the Outstanding Veterinary Nurse Award for outstanding academics and excellent clinical skills.

DVM Student Awards:

Dr. Taylor Bergquist received the American Association of Feline Practitioners Award.
Dr. Ashlee Bourquin received the first-place award for equine medicine, surgery and professionalism from the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners.
Dr. Katie Buatois received the 12th District of the IVMA Award and the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association Senior Leadership Award.
Dr. Joe Chandler received the G. Edward Cummins Compassionate Care Award.
Dr. Julia Crowe received the Dechra Excellence in Small Animal Internal Medicine Award.
Dr. Hanna Darrow received the Dechra Excellence in Equine Sports Medicine Award.
Dr. Nathan Freeman received the IVMA Award for Clinical Proficiency for Large Animal and All Species.
Dr. Jessy Harris-Forkner received the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Certificate of Clinical Excellence for large animal.
Dr. Berkley Hoehn received the second-place award from the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners.
Dr. Maria Jaramillo received the Small Animal Award from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Dr. Miriah Leibering received the Zoetis and Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Award for Proficiency in Emergency and Critical Care.
Dr. Avery Nicole Martin* received the Large Animal Award from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Myers and Dr. Natalie Rivera each received the Class of 1983 Award for overcoming obstacles and persevering despite difficult circumstances.
Dr. Milton Ortiz* received the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Certificate of Clinical Excellence in small animal.
Dr. Jenn Rusk received the Bob Rosenthal Senior Student Award in Clinical Oncology and the American College of Radiology Award.
Dr. Daniela Sanchez* received the Shelter Medicine Program Award for compassion and excellent interaction with shelter pets and clients and proficiency in shelter medicine.
Dr. Krysten Schmidt received the American College of Veterinary Pathologists Award for excellence in veterinary pathology.
Dr. Jessie Sexton received the 15th District of the IVMA and American Association of Bovine Practitioners Excellence in Bovine Veterinary Medicine Award.
Dr. Jonathan Sumption received the American College of Theriogenologists Clinical Proficiency award and the NAVAS Student Anesthesia Award.
Dr. Morgan Uebelhor received the IDEXX Award for Proficiency in Clinical Pathology.
Dr. Lisa Watson received the Bastien Award for Empathy and Exceptional Care for canine patients, and the American Animal Hospital Association award for Proficiency in Primary Care.
Dr. Hannah Wedig received the Comparative Ophthalmology Award for academic performance, research, or service in comparative ophthalmology.
Dr. Maxine White* received the Central Indiana IVMA Award for a student with outstanding client communications skills.
Dr. Kathryn Wolfert received the IVMA Award for Small Animal Clinical Proficiency and the Small Animal award from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Before concluding the ceremony, Dean Reed also presented two teaching awards.

Jennifer Smith received the Elanco Veterinary Technology Outstanding Teaching Award, which is given to a Veterinary Nursing educator who has clearly communicated course content, facilitated skill acquisition, motivated students, shown a continued willingness to facilitate learning outside of a formal setting, counseled and mentored students, and served as a positive role model.
The Weedon Faculty Recognition Award was presented to Dr. Mindy Anderson, clinical assistant professor of basic medical sciences, on the basis of her selection by members of the DVM Class of 2024. The award recognizes the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution to members of the fourth-year veterinary class during their progress toward the DVM degree.

After the conclusion of the program, the Graduation Celebration continued with a reception in the Purdue Memorial Union main lounges, where graduates and their families gathered along with faculty and staff. Beautiful Mother’s Day weather also enabled many graduates and their classmates to join family and friends outside for additional keepsake photo ops.

Congratulations to all members of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Class of 2024!

Photos from the event taken by photographer Ed Lausch are available to view and purchase at Lausch Photography.com. Look for the gallery labeled “2024 Purdue Vet Med” and use the password “2024PVM”.