The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine recently celebrated its annual "Evening of Gratitude," a special event dedicated to honoring the donors whose generosity not only supports the dreams of aspiring veterinarians but also amplifies their potential to make a lasting impact on countless lives and communities.

The evening was rich with personal stories from scholarship recipients, who shared how these funds have transformed their educational journey and fueled their ambitions, from treating animals to tackling public health challenges. 

"There's a clear reality that these students will impact many lives,” said Dan Givens, college dean. “The donors here tonight know that they are impacting the lives of students, and they know that those students will impact the lives of many communities and individuals within those communities," 

Scholarships: Fueling dreams and shaping futures  

As over 100 guests mingled, student stories took center stage. 

Malik Torres, a scholarship recipient from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Class of 2027, expressed his heartfelt gratitude: "For as long as I can remember, it's been my life's mission to be a veterinarian. I'm incredibly grateful for the award that has been given to me. It allowed me to pursue my dream without the burden of overwhelming financial challenges."

Torres aims to give back, inspired by the generosity he has received: "Because of you, when I accomplish my goal of becoming a board-certified cardiologist, I, too, will donate to the area of education because I know how much a financial gift can mean to someone."

Sam Johnson DVM ‘24 echoed the sentiment of overwhelming financial challenges: "If it weren't for scholarships, I literally wouldn't be here. This isn't my state school, so I couldn't afford to go here. But through scholarships, I've been able to attend and graduate. I am really grateful for that."  

Mols Kwitny, a Master of Public Health (MPH) student, has a keen focus on sexual health and LGBTQ health and is dedicated to working with marginalized populations to address disparate health outcomes. Kwitny’s journey into public health was propelled by a two-year stint in Texas, engaged in disaster relief following a hurricane. This experience, coupled with the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and a brief period working as a nurse aide, solidified Kwitny’s commitment to public health. 

"I saw a lot of disparities in communities that were impacted by hurricanes. That pushed me to want more authority within healthcare and how we educate people," Kwitny said.

The support from scholarships has been instrumental for Kwitny. It has facilitated their education and allowed Kwitny to consider lower-paying, impactful positions that align with their interests and values. "It was really helpful to get the scholarship to make it easier for me to be able to take those positions and still be financially comfortable," Kwitny reflected.

Diverse dreams, unified purpose

The evening highlighted the breadth of aspirations within the veterinary college.  

Baker White DVM ‘26, a veterinary student passionate about food animal medicine, spoke candidly about the financial realities of this path. "The wages (in small animal medicine) are, and in many cases, over two times as much as what I'll be looking at,” White said. “Scholarships, whether they're big or small, make a huge difference; they do help."

Another MPH student, Mia Grzywinski, highlighted her desire to bridge the gap between lab research and its impact on public health. 

"I wanted to understand how what I'm doing in the lab applies to the world outside of the lab," Grzywinski said. As she nears the program's completion, Grzywinski looks forward to a potential job opportunity in food safety. Thanks to her MPH studies, she hopes to return to the lab with a renewed focus and broader understanding.

"I believe in the Virginia Tech College of Veterinary Medicine and the future veterinarians, the commitment, service, and dedication you have made to heal animals that in turn will heal people in so many countless ways.”

 

-K.T. Archer, Donor

The donors: A legacy of compassion

Donors, the driving force behind these dreams, also shared their perspectives. 

"I believe in the Virginia Tech College of Veterinary Medicine and the future veterinarians, the commitment, service, and dedication you have made to heal animals that in turn will heal people in so many countless ways,” said K.T. Archer, a longtime supporter. 

Her words resonated with many. "For nearly seven decades, animals have been a source of joy and comfort for me," Archer continued. "They have brought me happiness when I might have had a time of sadness. They can make me mentally and or physically well if I am not. Mostly they have and continue to give me one of the greatest traits on Earth: unconditional love. 

"My personal pets could not have lived their lives as well or as long without the knowledge and kindness of the veterinarians that have cared for them."   

The bond she shared with her pets was fortified by the compassion and expertise of veterinarians, particularly during the most challenging end-of-life decisions.

"It takes a very special person to help the owner and their pet handle these decisions," Archer said, acknowledging the delicate balance veterinarians must maintain between medical professionalism and empathetic care.

She explained that this deep bond with animals fueled the desire for her and her husband Jerry to support future veterinarians: "It was clear to me over 25 years ago to want to choose you, the students, to help in any way that I could."  

Meeting donors and students in person

The evening was also an opportunity for donors and students to meet for the first time. Both Kwitny and Grzywinski expressed gratitude for meeting their donors in person, acknowledging the significance of putting a face to the name behind their scholarships. 

"It's just so beautiful to see the kindness and the generosity," Grzywinski said.  

"It's very nice to be able to learn a little bit about them and also share a little bit about ourselves with them,” Kwitny added.

David and Sheryl Aday, the donors behind these MPH scholarships, shared their reasons for giving back, emphasizing the gratification of seeing their contributions make a real difference. The Adays and their family chose to establish a scholarship in memory of their son, Ryan, who was an ardent advocate for public health.  

"Our son got his master's degree in health promotion, which was running before the MPH program, and because he had such a wonderful experience, particularly with Kerry Redican, we decided we wanted to remember him with an award for that program," said David Aday.

 "The students have been really good about sending us a note when they received the award," Aday reflected, emphasizing how these personal touches reinforced the significance of their contribution. "It's just really gratifying and helps us to know that it's not just out there doing something, but it's actually landed somewhere." 

Research innovation: Powered by generosity 

Sunshine Lahmers, clinical associate professor of Cardiology, appreciated donors' generosity, stating: "I live your generosity every day. I see it in my work." 

She illustrated this through examples like the alumni-donated space and equipment essential for her research, such as heart monitors for Dobermans, underscoring the dual benefits these contributions provide for research and patient care. 

The focus of Lahmers' talk was the promising research being conducted on dogs with heart murmurs, funded by the Stanton Foundation. She detailed an innovative approach to identifying disease early, utilizing diagnostic techniques based on cases where the condition was confirmed through 3D echocardiography. By developing an effective diagnostic tool without the need for advanced technology, care becomes more accessible for those patients without the access to resources to pay for advanced tests. This allows for better care through early detection to manage the disease for all animals, regardless of their owner’s financial capabilities.  

"The research is exciting because I feel like we see real progress and the difference we can make,” Lahmers said.

Lahmers passionately spoke about the broader implications of their work, highlighting the importance of the spectrum of care — a concept frequently endorsed by the Stanton Foundation. This approach ensures all animals receive the best care possible under the circumstances through shared decision-making between veterinarians and pet owners.  

By integrating the concept of a spectrum of care, the research seeks to advance veterinary medicine. It prepares students to offer various care options based on evidence, ensuring they are well-equipped to make informed decisions.

Dr. Sunshine Lahmers speaking to donors and students at Evening of Gratitude. Two people smiling at the Evening of Gratitude event. Dean M. Dan Givens speaking with students at Evening of Gratitude. Students pose for a picture at the Evening of Gratitude event. Two people chatting at the Evening of Gratitude event. People talking and laughing at the Evening of Gratitude event. Two people chatting at the Evening of Gratitude event. Dr. Laura Hungerford and Dr. David Aday at Evening of Gratitude. Two people chatting at the Evening of Gratitude event. Two people chatting at the Evening of Gratitude event. Woman sitting in a chair, smiling. (From left) Dr. Laura Hungergord, Caity Aday, Sherry Aday, Dr. David Aday, and Dr. Kerry Redican at Evening of Gratitude.

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