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

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

This week, we are glad to recognize Dr. Niwako Ogata, who is an associate professor of animal behavior, for her exceptional leadership skills and her ability to create a motivating learning environment.

Boiler Up, Basketball and a Dog Named Walter Put Purdue Veterinary Medicine in TV Spotlight

In the world of collegiate sports today, an image that appears even for a couple of seconds in the right video at the right time on the right telecast can generate countless priceless impressions. And that’s just what’s been happening for Purdue Veterinary Medicine thanks to a video clip recorded in the Brunner Small Animal Hospital last spring for a Purdue promotional spot that’s now airing during telecasts of Purdue Basketball games.

Annual PVM Equine Wellness Forum February 7 Features Enlightening Horse Health Presentations and Demonstrations

Even though the cold of winter has settled in, thoughts will turn to horses and horse health Saturday, February 7, as the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine once again hosts its ever-popular Equine Wellness Forum at Lynn Hall on the Purdue campus in West Lafayette.  The all-day continuing education program will feature insightful presentations and engaging demonstrations designed for horse owners and equine industry professionals.

AVMA Names Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Dr. Jim Weisman as Chief of Academic Affairs, Research & Accreditation

A longtime Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member and administrator will apply his experience, expertise and dedication to the veterinary medical profession at the national level as he begins serving as chief of academic affairs, research and accreditation for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Dr. Jim Weisman’s appointment to the position was announced by the AVMA Wednesday, January 29.

Purdue University to Host Third Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance February 26-27

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global public health threat, with multi-drug-resistant infections expected to worsen over time (United Nations Foundation, 2021). As a complex challenge intersecting human, animal, and environmental health, AMR requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Purdue University’s upcoming Antimicrobial Resistance Conference, February 26-27 at Stewart Center, will explore key aspects of AMR through three thematic segments – Determinants, Dynamics, and Deterrence – each featuring an expert speaker who will share insights from a specialized area of research. Following each keynote presentation, additional speakers will contribute their findings to further advance the discussions.

In Memory – Dr. Timothy (Tim) Boosinger (PU DVM ’76, PhD ’83)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened by the passing of a distinguished alumnus and national leader in veterinary medicine, Dr. Timothy (Tim) Boosinger, of Auburn, Alabama, who died January 27, 2025, after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer and its complications. He was 74.

Healing Eyes, Changing Lives: Saving a White Tiger’s Vision

The Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s ophthalmology team recently conducted a life-changing surgery for Prince, a six-year-old white tiger residing at Black Pine Animal Sanctuary (BPAS) in Albion, Indiana. The procedure marked a significant step in restoring the tiger’s vision, which had been severely impaired due to poor breeding practices and inadequate care in his earlier years.

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

Today our gratitude goes to Cass Simmons, RVT, VTS who is a small animal surgery instructional technologist.