Criteria: Based on a minimum GPA of 3.0 and financial need. Recipient must write an essay on why they chose veterinary medicine and what they plan to do with their degree.
Joshua Teaford
Joshua is a second-year student from Woodbridge, Virginia. He is interested in small animal emergency medicine and cardiology. This summer he will be externing at multiple ER clinics. After graduation Joshua hopes to move back to the East Coast to work as a small animal emergency veterinarian while also working with cattle in his free time.
Lilia Medvedev
Lily, a third-year student from Israel, is passionate about small animal neurology, neurosurgery, clinical pathology, and research. Lily aspires to advance veterinary medicine through a career in academia and research. She has published a Pathology in Practice article in JAVMA and contributed to research projects in neurology, wildlife medicine, and other fields.
Toni Kim
Toni is a wife, mother of two, and second-year student. She currently serves on the executive boards of the Non-Traditional Species Club and the Illinois Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. She is also a team leader at the Wildlife Medical Clinic. After graduation, she hopes to combine her passions for zoological, shelter, and emergency medicines while fostering a positive learning environment.
Vitaly Capitaine
Vitaly, a first-year student, was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. He is interested in mixed animal practice and emergency medicine and hopes to explore other specialties throughout his studies to narrow his future area of practice. One of his main passions is promoting diversity in veterinary medicine for POC and first-generation students like himself, as well as for community members. He is currently working four jobs, serving as the president-elect for the Latinx Veterinary Medical Association, and staying active in other extracurricular activities.
Jessica Brooks
Jessica is a third-year student from Springfield, Illinois. She is interested in mixed animal practice, exotics, and behavior. She currently works in the teaching hospital's business office and as an on-call student for small animal surgery. She is still undecided about where she would like to work as a veterinarian after school.
Trenton Black
Trenton is a first-year student from Carmi, Illinois. Raised on a small farm in southern Illinois, Trenton has owned many types of companion and production animals over the years. He is interested in both large and small animal medicine and hopes to combine the two in a career path in rural veterinary medicine.