Every year, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine celebrates the philanthropy of individuals, corporations, and foundations for providing student support through scholarships and fellowships. Held on February 19 this year, the “Evening of Gratitude” gathered students who received scholarships and fellowships, faculty, and scholarship/fellowship donors together.
By the Numbers
In the fiscal year 2024-25, 446 Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)/Ph.D. students received scholarships or fellowships. (The school has 800 students pursuing a DVM degree.) There were 714 individual awards amounting in $3,286,724. The school’s scholarship endowment in 2023 was over $120 million, which is believed to be the largest endowment in veterinary education.
"Donor support plays a crucial role in providing talented students with the opportunity to thrive, ensuring that the next generation of veterinary professionals is as diverse and dynamic as the communities they will serve," said Dr. Erik Olstad, DVM, and Assistant Professor, and master of ceremonies for the evening. "Our students are at the heart of everything we do at UC Davis."
Video Worth More than 1,000 Words
As the evening continued, a video was shared with the audience that featured a few of the students who received scholarships over the past year. The students shared the impact that the scholarships made on their lives and careers, and what it was like to hear the life-changing news, expressing gratitude to the donors who made their dreams possible.
Dean Mark Stetter, DVM, DACZM, then took the stage to share some reflections on the importance of student support to the school. "Since the history of the school, our scholarship program has been supported by more than 4,800 donors, and that number grows each year," he said. "Students here today are the core of what we do. A lot of these students wouldn’t be able to attend this school without scholarship support. Thank you for what you have done."
Scholarships that Changed Lives
The evening continued with a student panel moderated by Dr. Olstad, featuring four scholarship recipients. Their remarks moved the crowd to applause many times, as students shared the impact of the scholarship funding on their lives and the trajectory that their careers will take, thanks to the scholarships they received.
Each student shared their goals after graduating from the school.
Gabriela Monico, Class of 2027
"After vet school I would like to work in a small animal emergency hospital and also take the ‘one health’ approach and start a clinic that will serve an underserved population and that also serves as a pipeline program for undergraduates to gain exposure to the veterinary world."
David Lee, Class of 2026
"My goal after vet school is to practice in the greater Sacramento area as a GP. I have lived in the greater Sacramento area for a while, and want to continue serving this population. I also plan on volunteering my free time helping out at local shelters and Spectrum of Care clinics."
Jennifer Grimes, Class of 2025
"My goals after vet school are to do a rotating equine internship at Loomis Basin, and I have plans to apply for an equine internal medicine residency."
Diego Roque Aguayo, Class of 2027
"After vet school I would love to join a mentorship program or internship to help expand my knowledge and skills in emergency medicine since my goal is to become a small animal emergency veterinarian. I also want to volunteer in organizations that provide veterinary care to animals in underserved communities throughout my career. Many years from now, I want to establish my own non-profit that can provide free veterinary care in Latin American countries and the United States."
Change Maker and Trailblazer
Dean Stetter then presented the Change Maker Award, an annual award shared with a benefactor who has made a significate impact in students’ lives through scholarship support. This year’s award was given to Nancy Ehrlich, who, along with her late husband Michael Floyd, have supported hundreds of students.
"Tonight, we recognize one individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make an impact. Nancy has been a trailblazer in veterinary medicine for over 50 years. She is one of the first veterinary technicians in our state. Nancy and her late husband Michael were national leaders in veterinary dentistry. And, through Nancy’s school support, countless vet students and vet tech students were able to follow their dreams."
Nancy Ehrlich took the stage and shared her story, and sharing her love for UC Davis and the School of Veterinary Medicine. "UC Davis is a remarkable institution," she said. "I’ve attended many colleges but none of them care for their students like UC Davis does…Thank you for this amazing award. I am greatly honored and proud to be associated with this wonderful place."
Reflecting on the evening, Dean Stetter summarized the tremendous impact that scholarship funding has created in advancing students’ futures. "Tonight has been a celebration of the transformative power of education, philanthropy, and the community," he said.