Penn Vet’s Opportunity Scholarship Program Celebrates 20 Years of Student Success

By: Hannah Kleckner Date: Apr 18, 2018

Dr. Stephen Cole, V’15, was honored with the 2018 Charles W. Raker Opportunity Scholarship Award, presented to him by Rachel Durrwachter, V'20, pictured at right. [April 18, 2018; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] – Nearly 100 students, faculty, alumni and supporters gathered to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine’s Opportunity Scholarship (OS) Program on Saturday, April 14, 2018.

Established in 1998 by Dr. Charles W. Raker, V’42, the OS program was built upon the four core values of caring, compassion, competence, and communication. While financial support is one component of the OS Program, it also offers a structured platform for networking and mentorship opportunities between veterinarian alumni and students.

Penn Vet’s Dr. Stephen Cole, V’15, was honored with the 2018 Charles W. Raker Opportunity Scholarship Award during Saturday’s event. The Raker Award recognizes those individuals within the Penn Vet community that serve as outstanding mentors and key contributors to the veterinary profession.

“Dr. Cole is a selfless mentor who is extremely giving of his time and wants to ensure that those he mentors learn as much as possible,” said Rachel Durrwachter, V’20, who presented the award.

Dr. Ray Hostetter, V’69, pictured with his wife Jane, was awarded the inaugural OS Founders Award, which recognizes Penn Vet alumni who have had a profound impact on the OS Program. “As a Penn Vet alum, he is especially empathetic to students and understands the student experience here, an understanding which he uses to tailor his teaching in a way that makes every lecture memorable and relevant,” said Durrwachter. “This makes him a student-favorite lecturer, and he brings this empathy and understanding of students to his relationship with those he mentors as well.”

Also honored during the event was Dr. Ray Hostetter, V’69, during the inaugural presentation of the OS Founders Award, which recognizes Penn Vet alumni who have had a profound impact on the OS Program.

Learn more about Penn Vet’s Opportunity Scholarship Program.

About Penn Vet

Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 34,600 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 6,200 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 18,700 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.