(October 22, 2010   Stillwater, OK) – Alumni of the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences recently established “The Alumni and Friends Endowed Scholarship Fund” encouraging 1,000 alumni and friends to each donate $1,000.  The funds donated will create an endowment to support veterinary student scholarships for years to come and will qualify in varying amounts for the Pickens Legacy Match giving donors the maximum benefit for their generosity.

The fun began when alumni classes started comparing notes to see which class has raised the most money.  It became even more interesting when a non-OSU graduate faculty member challenged faculty, staff and the Veterinary Administrative Council to raise more than the alumni. Here’s where the campaign stands today.

Faculty, staff and the VAC have donated $15,008, more than double what any one class has given.  The classes of 1969 and 1965 lead with donations totaling $7,600 and $7,000 respectively.  The next closest class is 1982 with $5,500.  The class of 1953, though few in number (only 14 living members) comes in next with $5,000.  Following are the classes of 1968 and 1971 each with $3,000.

The class of 1986 has $2,125 followed by the classes of 1960 and 1984 with $2,100 each.  Two more classes, 1978 and 1983, each have $2,000.  The classes of 1979 and 1980 have $1,500, the class of 2003 has $1,300 and the class of 1989 has $1,250.  The class of 1987 has raised $1,125 and four classes (1954, 1958, 1976 and 2007) have each raised $1,100.  Eleven classes have hit the $1,000 mark—1955, 1959, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1975, 1985, 1990, 1995, 1999 and 2001.

Under the $1,000 mark are these classes:  1974 ($600), 1988 ($550), 1977 ($400), 1970 ($250), 1973 and 2000 ($100 each), 2008 ($50) and 1997 ($25). When totaled, all alumni donations equal $65,575 bringing the total endowment to $80,583 before any matches.

Outright cash gifts received before February 26, 2011, are eligible for a 2:1 match; donations paid within 5 years receive a 1.5:1 match; and planned gift pledges made prior to the February deadline will be matched 1:1.

“It’s been great to see alumni get excited about giving to this scholarship,” says Dr. Michael Lorenz, dean of the veterinary center.  “I’m very pleased with the support our faculty, staff and administrators have shown.  It’s great to have them leading the way.”

Veterinary graduates face debts in excess of $100,000.  Last year the veterinary center awarded more than $276,380 in scholarships to support the soon-to-be OSU Cowboy veterinarians.

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association.  The center’s Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals.  It also offers 24-hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association.  For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.

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