Dear Class of 1974, 

We hope this message finds you in good spirits and health. As we continue our journey into

2024, we are excited to update you on the progress of our class scholarship initiative, aimed at

giving back to the college and supporting future Buckeye veterinarians.

Where We Stand Now: Our goal is to establish an endowment that will provide support to

deserving DVM students in perpetuity. To achieve this, we must reach a minimum balance of

$100,000 by December 31, 2028. This will allow us to distribute approximately $4,500

annually (4.5% of the principal) in scholarships. With a stretch goal of $250,000, we could

further boost our annual scholarship distribution for students.

Thanks to the generosity of the organizing committee and many of our classmates, we have

already secured $49,074 with an additional $30,500 expected to come through from pledges.

Over the next five years, we aim to raise the remaining funds to meet—and hopefully exceed—

our target. We are confident that with collective effort, our class can make this dream a reality.

It is important to note that only dollars received by the university (not pledges and

non-realized estate gifts) count toward this goal.

Why Scholarships Matter: The cost of veterinary education poses a significant challenge, with

in-state tuition at $35,000 and out-of-state tuition starting at $75,000. Graduates often face

an average debt burden of $160,000, which can restrict their professional choices and

success. This economic pressure may deter graduates from pursuing vital but less profitable

specializations like large/farm animal medicine, compel them to seek higher salaries in urban

settings over rural communities, and even obstruct their aspirations of purchasing and owning

a veterinary practice. Our scholarship is designed to mitigate these financial barriers by

covering a substantial part of tuition fees, thereby enabling more students to realize their full

potential in veterinary medicine without economic hardship.

Your Role: We invite you to join us in this noble cause. Our Buckeye Funder page

(go.osu.edu/VetMed1974) serves as the central hub for contributions. Here, you can make

your gift and share a message with the class. Every note adds to the spirit of our collective

endeavor, and we encourage you to leave your mark.

Together, we can establish a lasting legacy that echoes the values and spirit of the Class of

1974. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed thus far. Your support is the

foundation upon which future veterinarians will build their careers.

Go Bucks!

With warm regards,

Kent Ames, Allan Brubaker, Verne Fairhurst, Vicky Fogelman, Larry Giebel, Bob Partridge,

John Strasser, Paul Webb, and Mike Whitacre

The best thing about graduating 50 years ago are the zillions of memories I have made and experienced.

Few things are more rewarding that watching a student transition from pre-vet to veterinary student, to student veterinarian, to veterinarian in 4 short years.  And they swear they never changed.

Or watching the accomplishments of former students in the profession we love.

Or the look of wonderment aw and often total disgust in the eyes of a student the first time their arm disappears in the south end of a north bound cow.

Or watching a newborn stagger to its feet for the first time after your c-section that most certainly saved its life.

Or the profound emptiness and sadness when you so desperately tried but were unable to save a life.

Or the lifelong relationships with you, my classmates, as we meet, greet, renew friendships, reminisce, and recall many memories some of which may be true.   I am looking forward to our 50^th reunion and celebration.   I hope to see you there.

And when asked if I would do it all again? “Yes, in a heartbeat”

Thank you, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Kent Ames, DVM

Class of 1974

Interested in writing a testimonial about the Class of 1974?  Please either add your testimonial to the comment section when making your gift or email Hannah Pierce directly at pierce.409@osu.edu.

Classmates, 

I'm having a little trouble getting my arms around all of us graduating 50 years ago... but unfortunately the math doesn’t lie! 

All I can tell you is that my life and my world wouldn’t have been anything close to as fulfilling and meaningful, if I hadn’t received the education that I got at Ohio State.  I'm indebted to OSU for creating for me the opportunity to pursue my lifelong passion. 

This scholarship that we as a class are endowing, allows us not only to "pay back", but it uniquely allows us to "pay forward" at the same time. Please join me in "giving back" to a great university and "giving forward" to the next generation of veterinarians. 

I hope they have as much fun in their first 50 years of practice as I have had!

John M Strasser, DVM 

Class of 1974

Interested in writing a testimonial about the Class of 1974?  Please either add your testimonial to the comment section when making your gift or email Hannah Pierce directly at pierce.409@osu.edu.