Scholarships Supported by the Zoetis Foundation Benefit Purdue Veterinary Medicine Students

A total of seven students in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine were selected to receive scholarships supported by the Zoetis Foundation. Five of the recipients are DVM students in the Classes of 2025 and 2026. The other two recipients are veterinary nursing students in the VN Class of 2025. 

DVM Scholarships

The DVM student scholarships funded by the Zoetis Foundation are administered by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), which awarded more than 200 $7,000 scholarships to veterinary students enrolled in AAVMC member institutions. Congratulations to the following Purdue Veterinary students who are among the recipients: Kyle Barron, Tyler Bright, Audrey Evans, and Mattisyn Gebhardt, all of the DVM Class of 2026, and Naja Williams of the DVM Class of 2025. 

The scholarships are for second- and third-year veterinary students. In addition to the traditional selection criteria of academic excellence and financial need, the scholarships focus on meeting ongoing needs of the veterinary profession – diversity, sustainability, and mixed/rural medicine practices. During the first five years of this scholarship program, Zoetis Inc. awarded scholarships to more than 2,700 exceptional veterinary students.

Veterinary Nursing Scholarships

In addition, the Scholarship Review Committee of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) announced recipients of the Zoetis Foundation/AVMF Veterinary Technician Student Scholarship program, including two Purdue veterinary nursing students. Congratulations to Stephanie Stewart and Mae Varda, both of the VN Class of 2025. 

Through the scholarship program, the Zoetis Foundation awards more than 200 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to eligible veterinary technician students enrolled full-time in an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or animal health technology program in the United States or Puerto Rico. The AVMF administers the program.

AVMF Programs and Operations Manager Shanita Anderson said, “On behalf of the AVMF and the Zoetis Foundation, our volunteers and staff, we congratulate the recipients on this outstanding accomplishment in their veterinary career. There was a highly qualified and exceptional group of applicants for this award.” 


The Zoetis Foundation supports communities and the people who care for animals, with a specific focus on advancing opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Foundation’s grantmaking and strategic efforts help provide access to education and mental wellness resources, expand veterinary debt relief, support diversity and inclusion efforts, and enable thriving livelihoods by funding programs that help veterinary practices and livestock farmers adopt sustainable business practices.

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

Recent Stories

Basic Medical Sciences Faculty Member Selected as Showalter Faculty Scholar

Dr. Dianne Little, associate professor of basic medical sciences, is one of four Purdue University faculty members newly named as Showalter Faculty Scholar recipients. These appointments bring the number of currently funded Showalter scholars on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus to 15. The Showalter Trust also provided 13 early career faculty members with 2025 research grants, including a member of the Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department Faculty.

United Way Shares PVM Family’s Story as College Approaches it’s Purdue United Way Goal

With the Purdue United Way Campaign in week 6, the United Way of Greater Lafayette shared the story of a Purdue Veterinary Medicine family to highlight just how much impact giving local has on the local community.  The story is that of Angela Pickett, executive assistant to the dean, and her son, Charlie, who both have experienced the impact of the United Way and its programs.

Faculty Receive Recognition at Purdue Veterinary Medicine Fall Awards Celebration

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated the accomplishments of outstanding faculty at a special Faculty Awards Celebration held in Lynn Hall.  The recognition program Thursday, October 23, featured the presentation of four awards for outstanding teaching and excellence in research and service, as well as a new award named in honor of Dean Emeritus Willie Reed and State Representative Sheila Klinker, that recognizes an exemplary community partnership.

PVM Professor and Interim Department Head Tim Lescun Elected to ACVS Board of Regents

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) has announced the results of the election to choose a new president-elect and two new members of the ACVS Board of Regents, and one of the new leaders is Dr. Tim Lescun, BVSc, MS, PhD, DACVS, Purdue Veterinary Medicine professor and interim head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

Trick-or-Treat without the stress: Tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween

It’s Halloween! So don’t forget about your furry friends and how the excitement of trick-or-treaters and unfamiliar faces can disrupt their usual routine. Pets go missing all year long, of course, but especially during Fourth of July and Halloween celebrations.

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

Today we’re congratulating Carissa Burgess, who is a Pre-Award Sponsored Program Services staff person for all of her efforts in her role.