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

Angela Pickett, PVM United Way champion, with her son, Charlie.

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.

Angela shared that Charlie, now 17, has participated in various Autism support programs over the last few years. “Grant’s House and the Wabash Center is a bright spot for my family,” Angela said. “My son participated in their after-school care and summer camp programs, and benefited from their job coaching. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of these services.”

As a partner agency of the United Way of Greater Lafayette, Wabash Center is dedicated to providing life-changing services for our neighbors with disabilities or special needs. “With the support of United Way of Greater Lafayette and our partnership with the Purdue Autism Research Center, Wabash Center is growing our services for children and young adults with Autism and more,” said Wabash Center President and CEO Jason McManus.

Giving to Purdue United Way helps you make stories like Angela’s possible. Donations support 24 local nonprofits, including the Wabash Center, ensuring that every dollar stays right here in our community. “For Boilermakers, Purdue United Way isn’t just tradition – it’s how we show up for our own community,” said Jim Bullard, 2025 Purdue United Way Campaign Champion and the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Mitch Daniels School of Business. “We give because we care about our friends, neighbors, and the funded partner agencies making a difference every day. Together, our local giving has a lasting impact.”

Angela, who is PVM’s United Way Campaign champion, emphasizes it’s easy to make your 2025 pledge today by visiting Purdue United Way. You can participate by either selecting “Give Now” or “I don’t wish to give.” The college is steadily approaching its Purdue United Way fundraising goal. To date, nearly $15,000 has been raised toward the PVM goal of $20,000.

For more information, check out Purdue United Way Frequently Asked Questions.

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

Recent Stories

Purdue Day of Giving Proves Remarkable for Purdue Veterinary Medicine!

As the final seconds ticked away at the conclusion of the 13th Purdue Day of Giving April 29, the numbers revealed an astounding day of giving for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. The college landed in fourth place on the university's Donation Leaderboard with a fundraising total of more than $5.95 million, behind only the Daniels School of Business, Athletics, and the College of Engineering.

PVM Representative Elected to Leadership Role on Purdue Management & Professional Staff Advisory Committee

The Purdue University Management & Professional Staff Advisory Committee (MaPSAC) elected PVM representatives to new roles for 2026-27 during its meeting April 8. Joey Woodyard, director of operations for the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, was elected vice chair and will take office June 1. The current vice chair, Amanda Hassenplug, who serves as lead research operations administrator for the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing, will become the 2026-27 chair at the same time.

Canine Welfare Science Conference Brings Together Leaders to Address the Human-dog Bond and Ethical, Sustainable Sourcing of Dogs

The power of shared learning, collaborative problem-solving, and civil discourse will be on display as Purdue University’s Croney Research Group hosts the 2026 Canine Welfare Science Conference in Lafayette, Indiana May 29-30. The theme of the two-day event is “Old problems, new solutions: breaking silos and building bridges to support ethical, sustainable sourcing of dogs and the human-dog bond.”

“Paws Up” for our Continuum Café Team – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we’d like to highlight our fabulous Continuum Café staff, Tammie Hill (manager) and Rebecca Watkins.

Through scholarship opportunities, Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program is making veterinary education more accessible

Earning a degree in a field like veterinary technology can change lives — both for veterinary technicians themselves, who can expect stable employment and high career growth, and for the animals they care for. But earning a degree is a significant financial investment, and one that can be inaccessible to working students. That’s why Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning (VTDL) program created scholarship opportunities for online students. One such scholarship, the Dr. Bill Scholarship, supports working students in Purdue’s VTDL program by helping them cover the costs of laptops, textbooks and other expenses.

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

This week, when we set aside time to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day (April 23), we want to take a moment to recognize someone who embodies the spirit of service and care that defines our community—Angela Pickett, executive assistant to the dean.

PVM Wellness Week Promotes Strong Finish to Spring Semester

With finals week looming on the horizon as the end of the spring semester draws nigh, Purdue Veterinary Medicine fostered positive energy and productive mindsets with its Wellness Week. A schedule of daily encouraging and stress-relieving functions during the week of April 21 to 25 helped students, faculty, and staff keep a focus on the importance of wellness.

Purdue Day of Giving April 30 is Day for Sharing Purdue and Pet Pride

Next week brings a unique opportunity to combine Purdue Pride with your pride you in your pet to help advance the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. During the annual Purdue Day of Giving Wednesday, April 30, there will be opportunities to help promote and support the college through participation in social media challenges in addition to giving.

PVM Faculty Member Sarah Waxman, leader of Purdue’s Equestrian Team, honored as Outstanding Advisor of the Year

People in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine know Dr. Sarah Waxman as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, boarded large animal surgeon and clinician with the Veterinary Hospital’s Equine Field Service. They may not realize she also has played a key role in the success of the Purdue Equestrian Team, for which she serves as advisor.

Comfort for Koda

Today we continue a series of stories about animals and their owners who’ve found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital as we share the tale of a dog named Koda, a young poodle mix that had experienced ongoing bladder issues early in life, and whose family was referred to the Purdue University Small Animal Hospital for answers.