Posted October 13, 2016

On September 22, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine hosted its annual Celebration of Generosity event, which focused on the importance of student scholarships and the student debt crisis. Dr. John Baker, dean of the College, welcomed the guests and spoke to how the crisis is threatening the veterinary profession, and about the promise that the College’s donors offer to current students.

“While we continue to lose funding from the State of Michigan, you have stepped up,” said Dean Baker, addressing the audience. “The scholarships that your generous donations provide enable many of our students to pursue their veterinary dreams, and empowers the College to fully embody its new mission: Learn. Discover. Heal. Protect.”

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the College’s first Philanthropist of the Year Award. Charles Fricke, was honored for his generosity and support to the College. He established the Charles R. Fricke Endowed Scholarship--a $10 million scholarship endowment for MSU’s Veterinary Technology Program.

“We’ve been very blessed in our life, and a way to give back to not only help animals, because obviously we can make a contribution to the Humane Society or something, but also to help people,” said Charles Fricke. “And we found that here at MSU, the lines cross where you can help these wonderful vet tech students and their careers, and they’re going to go on to help animals.”

Laken Harper, class of 2017, is one such student who, through the Charles R. Fricke Endowed Scholarship, is pursuing her dream of being a veterinary technician.

“I was probably three-years-old when I knew that working with animals was what I wanted to do,” said Harper. “I knew I wanted to come to Michigan State because they were always the best known for veterinary medicine. There was never really ever a second option to me.”

The Fricke scholarship provides full funding for Laken’s veterinary technology education.

“I don’t think I would have done as well in school if it weren’t for the support I received from my scholarship,” said Harper.

Gifts, such as endowments, provided to the College help support different scholarships and other funding for veterinary medicine and veterinary technology students, as well as students pursuing Master’s and PhD degrees. In this academic year, the College awarded $845,000 in scholarships. Since $1.00 in scholarships provides a savings of $2.30 in loan repayments, those scholarships mean more than $1.6 million in savings for our students.

As of July 1, 2016, the market value of the College’s endowments exceeds $10M.

To donate to the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, contact Tim Stedman, Senior Director of Development.