The Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association (PVAA) Board of Directors has approved financial support for three new initiatives that will help Purdue Veterinary Medicine students and recruitment efforts in the upcoming academic year. The board made the budget decisions during a meeting held virtually on June 9. In preparing its 2020-2021 fiscal-year budget, the board sought input from Dr. Jim Weisman (PU DVM ’97), assistant dean for student affairs, and Dr. Sandy San Miguel (PU DVM ’93; PhD ’95), associate dean for engagement.
The board allocated $3,000 to support 4th year DVM students by helping to cover the cost of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) that the students will need to meet heightened safety measures being put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The added PPE supplies will provide protection for the students while they work in the Veterinary Hospital and gain valuable hands-on experiences during their clinical year.
The board also approved $3,000 for Boiler Vet Camp scholarships that will help underrepresented minority students who want to attend either the junior or senior camps. This allocation is aimed at supporting the college’s engagement activities that seek to broaden diversity in veterinary medicine. A sub-committee was established to determine the criteria for awarding the scholarships.
Additionally, the board allocated $2,000 of the PVAA budget to support a recently established food pantry located in Lynn Hall for the Purdue University community. In conjunction with Purdue’s ACE Campus Food Pantry and Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. of Lafayette, the pantry will be stocked with food for anyone in the PVM family facing food insecurity. This resource will help ensure that students have the nourishment they need to thrive academically as they cope with demanding schedules.
The remainder of the PVAA budget will be used to sponsor recurring events and student traditions such as the Stethoscope Dinner, Thanksgiving Celebration, and Graduation Gala.
The PVAA is a membership-based organization representing the entire PVM alumni base and functions as a subsidiary of the Purdue Alumni Association (PAA). All funding for the PVAA is generated through membership dues and seed money from the PAA. New graduates enjoy a year of free membership and then half-priced membership for two years. Membership in the PVAA is only $30 per calendar year.
The PVAA Board of Directors is made up of representatives from each of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association regional districts, as well as Veterinary Nursing representatives from across Indiana. Other seats on the board include young alumni seats, as well as members-at-large from across the nation. The 24 member board is led by an executive committee made-up of Dr. John Feutz (PU DVM 2005), president; Dr. Erin Kosta-Wilson (PU DVM 2008), president-elect; and Dr. Jerry Rodenbarger (PU DVM ’79), secretary/treasurer. At the meeting, the board elected Dr. Angela Demaree (PU DVM 2002) as the incoming president-elect, whose term begins with the start of the new fiscal year July 1.
Click here for more information or to join the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association. Interested in serving on the PVAA Board of Directors? Please email Susan Xioufaridou at: susanx@purdue.edu.