Over the years, Penn Vet has received generous support from many donors whose planned gifts have furthered the School’s mission by funding scholarships, professorships, cutting-edge research, and more. These special donors are members of the School’s Veterinary Heritage Circle and the University’s Charles Custis Harrison Society. Here, we profile a few of these special supporters and share what inspired them to make such a meaningful commitment.
Miranda Markart and Ethan Flint
As the youngest members of the Veterinary Heritage Circle, Miranda (age 12) and Ethan (age 11) can thank their uncle, Frank Rasmus, for instilling in them a sense of the importance of philanthropy and giving back to causes with special meaning to them. Together with Frank, Miranda and Ethan have supported many causes at Penn and beyond, including the Morris Arboretum and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Since both Miranda and Ethan love animals, adding Penn Vet to their charitable activity as a beneficiary of their retirement accounts was a natural fit. Their generosity has and will continue to support clinical trials through their endowment for the Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center. They believe in the potential of this type of research to benefit humans and the pets that mean so much to us.
Carol Ann Rinehart
Carol was born in Texas in 1936 and was known throughout her life as an ardent lover of both wild and domestic animals—as well as for her keen intelligence and sharp wit. As an Executive Secretary with the United States Postal Service, she spent most of her adult life in Arlington, Virginia, where she wished she could have a pet of her own, but never did due to allergies.
Carol also never had the opportunity to attend college, yet she had a deep appreciation for the value of higher education. Combining her love of animals and her wish to help qualified students pursue their dreams in college, she left half of her estate as a bequest to Penn Vet, where it will directly benefit promising future veterinarians as an endowed Opportunity Scholarship.
Dr. Abram Stavitsky, V’46
Upon graduation from the University of Michigan in 1939, Dr. Abram Stavitsky began graduate work in public health with an emphasis on bacteriology and immunology. He received an MS in Public Health in 1940, followed by a PhD in 1943 from the University of Minnesota. His PhD research focused on the pathogenesis and host resistance in leptospirosis, a disease that affects both humans and animals.
Dr. Stavitsky’s interest in comparative pathology and immunology led to the study of veterinary medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was impressed by the depth of the curriculum and the excellent quality of the teaching of basic science, clinical medicine, and surgery. He received his VMD degree in 1946 and pursued a post-doctoral fellowship at the California Institute of Technology.
In 1947, Dr. Stavitsky joined the faculty of Western Reserve University (now Case Western Reserve University) in Cleveland, Ohio, beginning a distinguished research career. His work contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms of immunological memory and the biochemistry and regulation of the antibody response. He became Emeritus in 1989, when he turned 70, and has continued to produce research, publish, and write reviews.
Through the use of gift annuities and IRA rollover gifts to support scholarship at Penn Vet, Dr. Stavitsky has ensured that the School can continue to provide the highest level of scientific training for future veterinarians. He is particularly passionate about providing financial support for minority students.
Planned giving offers you an opportunity to create a permanent legacy honoring a special connection to Penn Vet; gain peace of mind and security for you and your family; and support the School’s mission of teaching, healing, and discovery.
To learn more about the many ways to make a planned gift, or for more information about the Veterinary Heritage Circle, please contact Jillian Marcussen, Director of Special Projects, at 215-898-4235 or jillian2@vet.upenn.edu.