Veterinary Nursing Graduates to be Recognized at Winter Commencement Ceremonies

December 9, 2022

university commencement ceremony in Elliott Hall
Veterinary nursing graduates will be among 2,957 Purdue students honored during commencement ceremonies December 17 and 18 as new Purdue graduates. (Purdue University photo)

Purdue University’s Winter 2022 Commencement will celebrate the giant leap of graduation for nearly 3,000 Boilermakers earning degrees in December, including a dozen veterinary nursing graduates. The university will hold three Winter 2022 Commencement ceremonies Saturday and Sunday, December 17 and 18 in the Elliott Hall of Music. In addition, the veterinary nursing graduates will be recognized at the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Graduation Celebration that Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in Lynn Hall, room 1136. 

Dean Willie Reed will begin the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Graduation Celebration with an introduction, followed by recognition of each of the veterinary nursing graduates by Dr. Chad Brown, director of Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs. As the names of the graduates are called, they will receive their Purdue University veterinary nursing pin from Holly McCalip, BS, RVT, instructional technologist.  Then the new graduates will recite the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct, led by Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT, instructional technologist, who was chosen by the students to lead them in the recitation of the oath. After the conclusion of the ceremony, the graduates will recess to the Veterinary Medical Library for a celebratory reception. The program in Lynn Hall will follow the university’s Division I commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in the Elliott Hall of Music, where the veterinary nursing graduates will be recognized along with graduates in the College of Health and Human Sciences, School of Management, College of Pharmacy, Polytechnic Institute, and College of Science. The 13 veterinary nursing graduates include nine who are earning their Associate in Applied Science degree and four who are earning their Bachelor of Science degree.

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

Recent Stories

PVM Closes out 2025 with Recognition of Staff Members’ Loyalty and Exceptional Service

A time-honored Purdue Veterinary Medicine tradition continued at the conclusion of 2025 as the college hosted its Staff Service Recognition Ceremony in Lynn Hall room 1136. Held December 19, the program honored staff members for years of service to Purdue University, and also featured the presentation of Bravo+ Awards. In all, more than 40 PVM personnel were recognized, including employees of the college’s departments, Veterinary Hospital and Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL).

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

Today, we are pleased to highlight Purdue University Veterinary Hospital staff members Lisa Hunter, facilities supervisor; Kevin Draper, facilities manager; and the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s Large Animal Facilities team for their exceptional support.

Interim Leadership Announced for Comparative Pathobiology Department

Two faculty members in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology have been named as new interim leaders for the department. Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, Dr. Kenitra Hendrix, will serve as interim department head, and Dr. Abigail Cox, the Dr. William O. Iverson Associate Professor of Comparative Pathology, will work alongside her as assistant department head and will take the lead on the department’s graduate student affairs.  Announced December 18, the appointments took effect immediately.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Seeks Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations by February 2

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is now accepting nominations for its Distinguished Alumni Awards that honor exceptional graduates whose careers as veterinarians and veterinary technicians and technologists exemplify leadership, service, and impact in veterinary medicine and animal health.

Purdue Veterinary Technology Program Distance Learners Celebrate Graduation at Lynn Hall Ceremony

December marked a major milestone in the lives of Purdue Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDL) students who graduated as members of the Class of 2025.  In conjunction with Purdue University’s Winter Commencement ceremonies, the College of Veterinary Medicine held its traditional Veterinary Technology Graduation Celebration in Lynn Hall December 21, when the new Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology Degree recipients were honored and recited the Veterinary Technician Oath.

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

Today we are giving a big “high-five” to Kendra Dostaler, RVT, a large animal veterinary technician serving in the Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals.

Three PVM Faculty Receive 2025 Purdue AgSEED Grants

Known by the acronym AgSEED, the Agricultural Science and Extension for Economic Development program is an internal competitive grants system of the Purdue University College of Agriculture that focuses on advancing Indiana’s leadership in plant and animal agriculture and rural growth, especially through entrepreneurial initiatives. This year, three Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty members are among 17 recipients of 2025 AgSEED grants.

In Memory – Dr. Baron Brocksmith (PU DVM ’94)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn of the passing of an alumnus, Dr. Baron Brocksmith of Sullivan, Indiana, who died Monday, January 6, 2025. He was 57.

December Graduation Celebration Honors Purdue Veterinary Nursing Graduates

The Sunday after Purdue University’s final exam week in December marked a special occasion for a group of students celebrating as the newest graduates of the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs. That day, December 15, the College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the 2024 Purdue Veterinary Nursing Graduation Celebration in Lynn Hall – an event that drew graduates and their families from across the country and beyond.