Skip to main content

Stethoscopes and Selfies Mark Start of Fall Semester for First Year PVM Students

Students in the Veterinary Technology Class of 2028 pose for a Stethoscope Celebration photo with Dean Bret Marsh and Dr. Mindy Anderson, assistant dean for the veterinary technology program.
Students in the Veterinary Technology Class of 2028 pose for a Stethoscope Celebration photo with Dean Bret Marsh and Dr. Mindy Anderson, assistant dean for the veterinary technology program.

An important Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine tradition kicked-off the new school year for first-year veterinary students in the Class of 2029 as well as veterinary technology students in the Class of 2028 who are attending classes in Lynn Hall this fall for the first time. The annual Stethoscope Celebration was held August 26 at the Beck Agricultural Center. In addition to a full-course meal, the event featured remarks by Dean Bret Marsh and event sponsors, and culminated with each student receiving a complimentary stethoscope.

“This event, which officially welcomes our new Veterinary Technology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students into the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, is a great way to kick off the new academic year,” said Dean Bret Marsh as he began the evening event and thanked the event sponsors – Patterson Veterinary, the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association, and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.

Students in the DVM Class of 2029 are joined by Dean Bret Marsh as they gather for a group photo at the annual Stethoscope Celebration.
Students in the DVM Class of 2029 are joined by Dean Bret Marsh as they gather for a group photo at the annual Stethoscope Celebration.

After the meal was served, a representative of each sponsor was invited to share words of advice. Then Dean Marsh returned to the podium to address the students. “You have begun a unique educational experience that will enable you to achieve your dream of becoming a veterinarian, or a veterinary technician or technologist, and joining a veterinary medical team,” Dean Marsh said. “You will gain a lot of hands-on experience as part of your coursework and your rotations in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. And you will have the opportunity to start using your stethoscopes right away!”

At the conclusion of the program, the students lined up to receive their complimentary stethoscopes before stepping outside to proudly display their shiny new hardware in group photos and candid photo ops.

Photos of the event taken by professional photographer Ed Lausch, with assistance from David Teter and Kevin Doerr, are available to view online at www.lauschphotography.com. Look in the Client Galleries section for “2025 Purdue Veterinary Medicine” and use the password “2025PVM”.

Writer(s): Susan Xioufaridou | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Fourth-year Purdue Veterinary Student Wins National Simmons Business Aptitude Award

For the first time, a Purdue veterinary student has won the national Simmons Educational Fund (SEF) Business Aptitude Award. The recipient is Luke Bousema of the DVM Class of 2026.  The award includes a cash prize of $35,000. 

“Paws Up” for the Academic Advising Team

This week, our Paws Up shines on the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Technology Program Advising Team as we celebrate the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) 2026 Global Advising Week.

Purdue Veterinary Student Honored by ASLAP Veterinary Student Award Program

The American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) Foundation annually recognizes five graduating fourth-year veterinary students who have demonstrated significant interest and potential in the field, and one of this year’s honorees is Purdue veterinary student Mollie Madigan, MLAS. Through the award program, the ASLAP seeks to increase awareness of the practice of laboratory animal medicine.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Alumnus Daniel Wilson Receives Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award

A member of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s DVM Class of 2012 is the newest recipient of the Purdue Department of Animal Sciences Distinguished Mid-Career Alumni Award. Dr. Daniel Wilson, of Needham, Indiana was presented with the award Friday, May 1 at the 2026 Outstanding Students and Distinguished Alumni Awards Program that recognized students and alumni for their achievements, leadership and contributions to the department and industry.

CPB Graduate Student Wins Runner-Up Prize in Purdue “Say it in 6” Competition

Graduate Research Assistant Shyamkumar T.S. in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology was recognized as the runner-up in a unique graduate student competition at Purdue this spring.  The contest is called, “Say It In 6®” and requires graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to tell their research story with only one picture and just a six-word caption.

Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program launching a new, streamlined plan of study for fall 2026

Starting in fall 2026, Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program will launch a streamlined curriculum that reduces total credits to 64 and allows for completion in just eight semesters. This revamped plan enhances student support by offering new elective specializations and a dedicated national exam prep course, all while maintaining the program's high accreditation standards.

Breast Cancer Drug Supinoxin Shows Potential for Small-cell Lung Cancer Treatment in New Tests

Purdue University scientists led by co-principal investigators in the Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine have identified the Supinoxin small-molecule drug as a possible new therapy for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PVM White Coat Ceremony Celebrates Major Milestone for DVM Class of 2026

The Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms provided a classic setting for an annual event that has become a cherished tradition of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Members of the DVM Class of 2026 gathered with family, friends and faculty and staff on the evening of April 12 for the annual White Coat Ceremony that signals the transition of the third year veterinary students from the classroom to the clinics.

Tail-Wagging Success Characterizes PVM’s Participation in Purdue Day of Giving

As the day dawned Wednesday, April 30, evidence came pouring in that Boilermakers everywhere – whether alumni, friends and/or fans – were answering the call to make the 2025 Purdue Day of Giving our loudest and proudest “All hail!” yet. And Purdue Veterinary Medicine played a part in the success!

PVM’s Oncology Team Buoys Purdue Institute for Cancer Research 5K Fundraising Run

It is no surprise that the members of Purdue’s Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center (WCORC) in the College of Veterinary Medicine would not back down from a challenge, especially when it comes to supporting innovative cancer research. So, true to form, about two-dozen representatives of the center could be found out on the course Saturday, April 12, participating in the 17th annual 5K Challenge fundraising run to support the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.