(November 8, 2011 Stillwater, OK) – Each year Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences welcomes 82 new veterinary students—56 from across Oklahoma and 24 from all corners of the nation. These bright, eager to learn young people spend the next four years working toward their professional goal. They also become involved in various student organizations, such as the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, or the American Animal Hospital Association to name three of approximately 18 different organizations. One particular group spends countless hours volunteering in and around the Stillwater community—Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Alpha Psi is one of the smallest fraternities but has very dedicated students. This year’s president is Nancy Henslee, Class of 2013. She is also the Hill’s Student Representative, the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Student Representative, and the American Veterinary Medical Association-Professional Liability Insurance Trust Student Ambassador.

“We have approximately 40 Alpha Psi members, but due to student time constraints, we have 15 to 20 active members at any given time,” explains Henslee. “The only membership requirement, other than paying annual dues ($25 for new members and $15 for renewals) is to be a veterinary student interested in fellowship and service to others.”

And serve they do. The officer team and membership have shaped this fraternity into more than a social organization. Current projects include:
• Adopt-a-Street (Lakeview Drive, one mile stretch west of Western) for trash pickup twice a semester
• Blood Drives which they host twice a semester
• Assist with “Wine for Whiskers” a fundraiser for Tiny Paws Kitten Rescue, the only kitten rescue in Stillwater
• Nursing Home visits with well-behaved pets at least once per semester
• Volunteering all day at the Special Olympics Equestrian Event in Stillwater
• Christmas Card Fundraiser to benefit the Stillwater Humane Society and Guthrie Animal Shelter
• Angel Tree to benefit the Stillwater Humane Society, Stillwater Animal Shelter, and Guthrie Animal Shelter

“The Christmas cards are new and will feature adoptable pets at either shelter,” smiles Henslee. “All proceeds will benefit the shelters. The Angel Trees will be set up in McElroy Hall and the OSU Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, which is also open to the public. Each ‘angel’ will list the name of a current resident at one of the shelters and much needed supplies to support that animal and the shelter.”

“We are proud of all of our students, especially those who go above and beyond,” says Dr. Jean Sander, dean of the veterinary center. “Our veterinary students could come to Stillwater, spend four years here and never do anything to help make the community better. We’re delighted that these students have their priorities in the right place and that they are making a difference in and around Stillwater. They are committed to getting their veterinary medicine degree and to giving back to their community, which will serve them well—and their future home community—after they graduate.”

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is the only veterinary college in Oklahoma and 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.

###