Couple pledge $1 million for Missouri veterinary school scholarships

Columbia, Mo.

-- A $1 million pledge to establish two scholarships at the University of Missouri's (MU) College of Veterinary Medicine has been made by a Missouri couple whose dogs were treated at the school.

David and Gloria Lowell began their relationship with the college in 2003 when they brought their dog Goldi to the school for cancer treatment. Both Goldi and another Golden Retriever, Honee, died in 2006, but the Lowells were so impressed with the treatment the dogs received and the compassion of the MU students and staff that they wanted to find a way to give back.

“The college will benefit greatly from this gift; it is a privilege to have the support of generous benefactors like the Lowells,” said Neil Olson, dean of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. “These scholarships will help attract talented students and expand class sizes to meet the growing demands for veterinarians.”

The “David and Gloria Lowell Scholarship Fund in Memory of their Beloved Golden Retriever Goldi,” will be awarded to veterinary medicine students studying oncology. A second scholarship, the “David and Gloria Lowell Scholarship Fund in Memory of their Beloved Golden Retriever Honee,” will be awarded to students specializing in the human-animal bond.

“The wonderful people we met and the exceptional care that we received at the MU veterinary college inspired us to create these scholarships,” Gloria Lowell said. "When Goldi had cancer, MU was one of very few places that offered radiation. We always heard good things about the school, so we brought her there for treatment. We were very impressed by the students, and the doctors called us every day with updates.”

The $1 million will be donated from the Lowells' estate to the school upon their deaths.