Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine celebrates new graduating class of veterinary technicians

August graduates with Chad Brown, director of Veterinary Nursing Programs, and Kathy Salisbury, interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. (Photo courtesy of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine)

The college of Purdue Veterinary Medicine (PVM) from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, recently celebrated its Summer 2024 graduating class of veterinary technicians during the college’s ceremony. During the event, S. Kathleen Salisbury, interim dean of PVM welcomed the college’s newest veterinary technician graduates and their families at the Summer 2024 Veterinary Nursing Graduation Celebration, which took place in Lynn Hall on August 3, 2024.¹

The ceremony took place after the university commencement exercises that same morning at the Elliott Hall of Music. The PVM graduation celebration featured individual recognition of each attending graduate, as well as traditional recitation of the Indiana Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct, according to a news release.¹

During the ceremony, Salisbury addressed the graduates and their families in a speech that emphasized the college’s veterinary network and the journey that awaited the new graduates. “In particular, this program gives us the opportunity to continue a long-standing and valued tradition of our college as we conduct our Oath Ceremony,” said Salisbury, according to the release.¹ “Graduates, as you embark on your careers in the veterinary medical profession, you join an alumni network that reflects the ‘veterinary team.’ Numbering more than 5,000, our college’s alumni include veterinarians, veterinary [technicians], as well as recipients of graduate degrees.”

Graduates stepped forward as Chad Brown, DVM, director of Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs announced their names. “The College of Veterinary Medicine has 2 separately accredited veterinary technician…programs,” Brown said as he stepped to the podium, according to a news release.¹ “One is an entirely remote program which is our distance learning program and the other is our campus residential program. So we have graduates from both here today.”

PVM’s on-campus program offers students 3 degree options: Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing, Associate in Applied Science, and a Bachelor of Science completion program for graduates from AVMA-accredited veterinary nursing programs who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing.² Meanwhile, PVM’s distance learning program, the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program, allows students to learn at their own pace. It is modeled after PVM’s in-person program and offers 27 online courses and 18 clinical mentorship experiences. The program also has in-person clinical mentorships with hands-on experiences. Moreover, it gives students the possibility of earning their associates degree in as little as 3 years, according to the university.³

This summer, 9 graduates of the Associate in Applied Science degree attended the ceremony. As each graduate came forward, they were presented with the Purdue University Veterinary Nursing pin by Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT, by instructional technologist. During the ceremony, Brown also gave special acknowledgement to graduate Stephanie Stewart, who was the recipient of the Eber H. Allen Leadership Award funded by the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Medical Association

“Graduates, your charge is to set the visible standard for what a Purdue University veterinary [technician] is and does. In so doing, you will pave the way for all those graduates who will follow behind you. The future of the veterinary nursing profession is placed into your very capable hands. We trust that you will serve it well,” said Brown to the graduates, according to a release.¹

The degree recipients were also asked to recite the Indiana Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct, marking their official entry into the veterinary technician profession. “The oath signifies our high regard for the ethical standards and legal regulations governing the practice of veterinary [technology], our strong commitment to the highest standards of patient care and service, and our dedication to the animals that we serve,” said Brown, according to a release.¹

References

1. New Purdue veterinary nursing graduates take oath during graduation celebration. News release. Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. August 9, 2024. Accessed August 13, 2024. https://vet.purdue.edu/news/new-purdue-veterinary-nursing-graduates-take-oath-during-graduation-celebration.php
2. On-campus curriculum overview. Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed August 13, 2024. https://vet.purdue.edu/nursing/on-campus/curriculum-overview.php
3. Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program. Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed August 13, 2024. https://vet.purdue.edu/nursing/distance-learning