The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine concluded 2022 with a special ceremony honoring staff members who achieved significant service anniversaries as well as staff and faculty receiving Bravo Awards. Dean Willie Reed began the ceremony, which was held December 16 in Lynn 1136, by thanking everyone for coming. “What a wonderful way to wrap up this awesome year for our college – with a celebration of our amazing team members!” Dean Reed said.
The dean then recognized the loyalty of staff members by introducing those celebrating significant anniversary milestones. “In keeping with an important and longstanding Purdue University tradition, I am pleased to honor staff members for every five years of service to the university,” Dean Reed said. He then read the staff members’ names in groupings according to their years of service, from 10 years all the way up to 30 years. As their names were called, the honorees stepped forward to receive a recognition gift. After all members within a grouping were called forward they paused for a group photo. Congratulations to the following honorees:
Ten Years of Service to the University:
- Dennis Barnett, associate director of PVM-IT Systems Engineering, Veterinary Administration
- Dr. Erica Childress, lead small animal emergency veterinarian, Purdue University Veterinary Hospital
- Cassandra Cords, RVT, veterinary skills and competencies teaching technologist, Veterinary Administration
- Brett Creech, senior instructional designer in PVM-IT, Veterinary Administration
- Lisa Hunter, facilities supervisor, Veterinary Hospital
- Jayne Rayman, outreach and communication specialist, IU School of Medicine – West Lafayette
- Addison Sheldon, director of Global Engagement, Veterinary Administration
- Margaret Anderson, lead IT technician and Help Desk coordinator in PVM-IT, Veterinary Administration
- Elaine Baird, Parasitology Laboratory supervisor, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
- Amy Butcher, RVT, ICU, Emergency, and Critical Care technologist, Veterinary Hospital
- Brittany Laflen, RVT, VTS, Small Animal Surgery and Neurology veterinary nurse, Veterinary Hospital
- Erin Lane, Research Programs and Interdisciplinary Biosciences Graduate Program administrative assistant, Veterinary Administration
- Kathleen Mowery, RVT, Emergency Critical Care nurse, Veterinary Hospital
- Deanna Strange, Referring DVM Help Desk communication coordinator, Veterinary Hospital
- Amanda Taylor, Student Services lead administrative assistant, Veterinary Administration
15 Years of University Service:
- Sarah Lahrman, RVT, Radiation Oncology nursing supervisor, Veterinary Hospital
- Lingling Yu, lead programmer analyst in PVM-IT, Veterinary Administration
- Terri Donald, senior administrative assistant, Veterinary Hospital
- Jeaneen Leming-Walker, animal care technician, Veterinary Hospital
- Janet Rivers, purchasing account clerk, Veterinary Administration
- Bill Smothers, shipping, receiving, and facilities clerk, Veterinary Administration
- Amanda Dunkle, director of donor relations, Purdue for Life Foundation
20 Years of University Service:
- Amanda Bettag, Clinical Pathology Laboratory medical technologist, Veterinary Hospital
- Eric Biggs, assistant director of application development and information technology, Veterinary Administration
- Jennifer Crodian, research associate, Center for Paralysis Research
- Angela Pickett, executive assistant to the dean, Veterinary Administration
- Sheryl Douglas, veterinary nursing assistant, Veterinary Hospital
- Ann Templeman, lead business assistant, Veterinary Administration
25 Years of University Service:
- Renu Bajaj, Bacteriology Laboratory technician, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
- Debra Branham, Referring DVM Help Desk communication coordinator, Veterinary Hospital
- Margaret Gehlhausen, laboratory technician, Heeke Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
- Lisa Holeman, demonstration assistant, Comparative Pathobiology
- Stephanie Stillwell, Equine Hospital receptionist, Veterinary Hospital
30 Years of University Service:
- Kevin Doerr, director of public affairs and communications, Veterinary Administration
The dean concluded the ceremony by presenting Bravo Awards, which recognize substantial accomplishments by Purdue employees that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities. “These awards are designed to highlight the excellence found across all areas and job functions at Purdue University by recognizing extraordinary achievements on every scale,” Dean Reed said.
Bravo Award winners may be recognized in any of four categories: Moving the University Forward; Innovation and Creativity; Operational Excellence; and, Fiscal Stewardship. Congratulations to the following award recipients:
- Linley Brewer, Comparative Oncology veterinary nurse in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, for Moving the University Forward, Innovation and Creativity, and Operational Excellence.
- Carissa Burgess, business assistant in the Employment Center, for Operational Excellence.
- Lynn Carmony, business account assistant for Veterinary Clinical Sciences, for Operational Excellence.
- Makayla Espinosa, senior administrative assistant in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, for Operational Excellence.
- Lorraine Fox, business assistant for the Comparative Pathobiology Department, for Operational Excellence.
- Jolene Knuth, veterinary nursing supervisor for the Anesthesiology Service in the Veterinary Hospital, for Moving the University Forward.
- Joni Krause, client liaison for Medical Oncology in the Veterinary Hospital, for Operational Excellence.
- Tami Lind, veterinary nursing supervisor in Emergency and Critical Care in the Veterinary Hospital, for Moving the University Forward.
- Carolyn McLaughlin, large animal medicine veterinary nurse in the Veterinary Hospital, for Operational Excellence.
- Amy Smeltzer, accessioning supervisor in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, for Operational Excellence.
- Joey Woodyard, Veterinary Hospital administrator, for Operational Excellence.
- Rachel Yoquelet, Neurology and Physical Rehabilitation veterinary nurse in the Veterinary Hospital, for Moving the University Forward, Innovation/Creativity, and Operational Excellence.
Then Dean Reed presented two team Bravo Awards:
The first was presented for Operational Excellence to the Student Services Career Fair Team of Paige Allen, director of academic advising and recruitment, and Marisela Shippam, senior administrative assistant for Student Services, for the their hard work in planning and executing this year’s career fair for the students.
The second team award was presented for Operational Excellence to the Equine Field Service Team of Kyle Clever, RVT; Allison MacKenzie, RVT; and Cindy Schuh, for their dedication in the midst of a nearly doubling of caseload and income since 2016.
Following the award presentations, the honorees and guests relocated to the Veterinary Medical Library for a reception.
