Recognition Ceremony Honors Staff at Year’s End

January 11, 2019

Staff recognized for 10 years of service to Purdue pictured with Dean Reed

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Staff Service Recognition Ceremony honored staff members for service anniversaries and special accomplishments as 2018 drew to a close.  Held December 18 in Lynn 1136 with a reception following in the Continuum Café, the event continued a long-standing tradition.  In addition to recognizing staff members for significant service anniversaries, the ceremony also honored staff and faculty who have completed the Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine Certificate Program, and fall semester recipients of the Bravo Awards.

Dean Reed pictured with Julie Commons and Amy Huffman

Dean Reed recognized staff with 15 years of service including (left-right) Julie Commons and Amy Huffman. (Not pictured: Louann Albregts, Deepika Dhawan, and Donna Tudor)

Dean Willie Reed began the ceremony by honoring staff members for every five years of service to the university.  “Our College, as well as the university as a whole, benefits from the dedication, experience and expertise of these individuals,” Dean Reed said.  “We are privileged to have a number of PVM staff members celebrating important service anniversaries this year.”  The staff members honored during the reception for their service anniversaries are:

10 Years of Service:

  • Melinda Cotton, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH)
  • Molly Cripe Birt, VTH
  • Jennifer Danaher, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS)
  • Christina Deyoung, VTH
  • Wright Frazier, Department of Veterinary Administration (VAD)
  • Jeannine Henry, VAD
  • Trinna Pierce, VTH
  • Liane Shaw, VTH
  • Lori Stout, VAD
  • Jeremy Wampler, VTH

    Dean Reed pictured with Elizabeth Brooks, Pamela Kirby, and Sheila Stingle

    Pictured with Dean Reed (left-right): Elizabeth Brooks, Pamela Kirby, and Sheila Stingle celebrated 20 year service anniversaries.

15 Years of Service:

  • Louann Albregts, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL)
  • Julie Commons, VTH
  • Deepika Dhawan, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS)
  • Amy Huffman, VTH
  • Donna Tudor, VTH

20 Years of Service:

  • Elizabeth Brooks, VAD
  • Pamela Kirby, VTH
  • Sheila Stingle, VAD

25 Years of Service:

  • Anisa Dunham, VCS

    Dean Reed pictured with Barbara White

    Barbara White celebrated 40 years of service at Purdue.

40 Years of Service:

“Thank you, again, to all of these members of our PVM family for your dedication and loyalty to our College and Purdue University,” Dean Reed said. “It is truly an honor to be able to celebrate these career milestones with you.”

Next, Dean Reed presented certificates to faculty and staff members who have completed the online Certificate Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. “Diversity and inclusion are key components of our College’s values and culture, and we are proud of these individuals for their dedication in promoting a collegial work and learning environment enhanced by diversity,” Dean Reed said before introducing these recipients:

  • Angela Bittner, histology laboratory technician, ADDL
  • Allison Carey, communications specialist, VAD
  • Angela Chan, molecular diagnostics development supervisor, ADDL
  • Amy Fridlund, histology laboratory technician, ADDL
  • Kayla Guenther, laboratory records clerk, ADDL
  • Lizelle Hidalgo, histology laboratory technician, ADDL
  • Aimee Highland, communications and special projects coordinator, ADDL
  • Dr. Stephen Hooser, professor and head of toxicology, CPB/ADDL
  • Dr. Stephanie Inoue, emergency clinician, VTH
  • Natalia Knowlton, bacteriology laboratory technician, ADDL
  • Chelsi Laposi, program coordinator for Global Engagement, VAD
  • Velina Lindley, molecular diagnostics operations supervisor, ADDL
  • Osmar Lopez, senior web developer, VAD
  • Dr. Margaret “Peg” Miller, anatomic pathology training coordinator and professor of veterinary pathology, CPB/ADDL
  • Farren Osborn, molecular laboratory technician, ADDL
  • Eric Pouliot, molecular laboratory technician, ADDL
  • Abigail Props, toxicology laboratory technician, ADDL
  • Hilary Richards, toxicology laboratory technician, ADDL
  • Mary Ruzicka, administrative assistant and building deputy, ADDL
  • LeAnna Sanders, small animal surgery technologist, VTH
  • Amy Smeltzer, accessioning records clerk, ADDL
  • Margie Veverka, receptionist, ADDL
  • Dr. Rebecca Wilkes, assistant professor and section head for molecular diagnostics, CPB/ADDL

    staff and faculty pause for a group photo in recognition of completion of the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine program

    Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff also were recognized at the ceremony for completion of the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine online program.

Dean Reed concluded the recognition ceremony by presenting Bravo Awards, which recognize substantial accomplishments by Purdue employees that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities.  The awards can be given to acknowledge exceptional efforts in any of four categories:

  • Moving the University Forward — accomplishments or contributions that transform or advance university objectives;
  • Innovation and Creativity — innovative work or suggestions well beyond standard job requirements that significantly improve operational efficiencies or introduce new or improved processes;
  • Operational Excellence — extraordinary effort during times of critical departmental need; and,
  • Fiscal Stewardship — significant cost saving or cost avoidance realized beyond normally expected or established standards.

The Bravo Award recipients received a certificate as well as a cash prize.  The following awards were given based on nominations submitted for the second half of 2018:

  • Mijana Beckett was recognized for Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence as laboratory technician in virology and molecular biology in ADDL
  • Sean Brant was recognized for Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence and Fiscal Stewardship as Central Supply manager in VTH
  • Alex Guadarrama was recognized for Moving the University Forward and Operational Excellence as instructional designer in PVM-IT
  • Samantha McFarland was recognized for Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence as assistant director of financial affairs in VAD
  • Kristy Myers was recognized for Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence and Innovation and Creativity as instructional designer in PVM-IT
  • Shelly Opperman was recognized for Innovation and Creativity as academic advisor in the Veterinary Nursing Program in VAD
  • Jeri Tullius was recognized for Innovation and Creativity and Operational Excellence and Fiscal Stewardship as an oncology technologist in VTH
  • Amalia de Gortari, who recently retired from the VTH oncology section, where she served as oncology technologist/supervisor, was recognized for establishing and coordinating the Student Oncology Volunteer Program
  • Margie Veverka was recognized for Operational Excellence as reception clerk in ADDL

    Fall 2018 Bravo Award winners pictured with Dean Reed

    The ceremony also recognized Bravo Award winners, which recognizes substantial accomplishments by Purdue employees. Pictured with Dean Reed (left-right) Margie Veverka, Jeri Tullius, Sean Brant, Shelly Opperman, Samantha McFarland, Alex Guadarrama, and Kristy Myers. (Not pictured: Mijana Beckett and Amalia de Gortari)

Congratulations to all of the award recipients!

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

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week our gratitude goes to Andrea Kellogg, who is the director of Lifelong Learning.

Purdue Veterinary Students Get Up Close View of Veterinary Care at Professional Bull Riding Event

During a weekend dedicated to championship-level competition, students from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine gained a first-hand perspective on a unique aspect of the livestock industry with a behind-the-scenes pass to the Professional Bull Riding event held recently in Indianapolis.  Ram Trucks PBR Indianapolis presented by Cooper Tires was held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse March 21-22, even as first- and second-round NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games were held across the country the same weekend.

In Memory – Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology Gerald Bottoms

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Gerald D. Bottoms, a longtime faculty member and Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology, passed away on February 24, 2026.  He was 95.

PVM Scholars Recognized at Purdue One Health and Well-Being Research Event

Purdue University’s recent One Health and Well-Being Research Event: A Celebration of Interdisciplinary Health Research, put the spotlight on several scholars in the College of Veterinary Medicine.  The one-day event was organized by the College of Health and Human Sciences in partnership with several other colleges including Purdue Veterinary Medicine. It is estimated that more than 300 people attended the event at the Purdue Memorial Union North and South Ballrooms March 10.

In Memory – Dr. Jeffrey Hanssen (PU DVM ’71)

The College of Veterinary Medicine mourns the passing of an alumnus and longtime practitioner from Greenfield, Indiana. Dr. Jeffrey Hanssen died March 12, 2026, at Brandywine - Brickyard Healthcare Center in Greenfield. He was 71.

Beautiful Spring Lilies Pose Serious Danger to Cats

Spring weather heralds the arrival of the beautiful blooms of true lilies (Lilium sp.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.). Unfortunately, many cats have been poisoned by these lovely plants. The poisoning is so severe and the possible consequences so dire (even death) that in 2021, the FDA issued this warning: “Lilies in the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Eating just a small amount of a leaf or flower petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, or drinking the water from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than 3 days. The toxin, which only affects cats, has not been identified. Dogs that eat lilies may have minor stomach upset but they don’t develop kidney failure.”

Through study abroad opportunities, Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program is helping students think globally

Promoting animal health is a value that transcends cultures and unites the world. That’s why there are veterinary professionals practicing in nearly every country around the globe. But access to high-quality, affordable veterinary care is far from universal — in many nations, particularly developing nations, access to veterinarians is inconsistent, and affordability is a concern all over the world. To confidently address these issues, veterinary professionals must be able to think globally. That’s why Purdue Veterinary Medicine encourages students to study abroad, including those in the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDL). “Study abroad enriches our online curriculum by bringing classroom concepts to life in a global, real-world context,” said Addison Sheldon, the college’s director of global engagement. The VTDL program offers students the option to study abroad in Guatemala, Japan and Zimbabwe by partnering with local universities and organizations.

Public Invited to Learn about Veterinary Medicine at 2026 PVM Open House April 18

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will welcome the public for its annual Spring Open House at Lynn Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the event will feature a hands-on look at the world of veterinary medicine.

Annual Purdue Veterinary Technician Symposium Remains Popular in 12th Year

The enduring popularity of the annual Purdue Veterinary Technician Symposium was evident again this spring as more than 125 participants turned out for the day-long continuing education program in Lynn Hall. The 12th annual symposium on Sunday, March 8, attracted attendees from Indiana and seven other states, including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Ohio.

Ruby’s Road to Recovery

When Ruby first came to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, she was just nine months old, and her injuries were more complex than when they first appeared. Ruby is a toy poodle and over a month earlier, while playing, she jumped off a couch and fractured both of her front legs. Despite several weeks of treatment with splints and casts, her legs were not healing properly. She had surgery performed on both her front legs and received a bone graft to help speed up the healing process. With meticulous surgical aftercare and a planned series of rechecks, Ruby began her journey to recovery.