Penn Vet Honors Donors and Students at Annual Scholarship Reception Celebrating Impact and Opportunity

The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) honored scholarship recipients and donors, highlighting the impact of scholarships during brunch at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center in Chester County on April 18.

Andrew Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine, opened the event and welcomed the guests in attendance. In his remarks, he emphasized that scholarships are not merely financial support but enduring investments that shape students’ trajectories and extend their impact.

Hoffman then introduced New Bolton Center’s Associate Director of Academic and Community Affairs, Liz Arbittier, VMD, CVA, who served as master of ceremonies. A V’01 alumna, Arbittier reflected on her work with students and the meaningful impact scholarships have on the veterinary profession.

“When a student receives a scholarship, especially a named award, one related to a person or a legacy, a connection is made. These scholarships create an instant connection to the donor, to the name honored by the scholarship, and to our profession,” said Arbittier. “It shapes how students develop their own professional identity. It creates a thread of investment and generosity that, more often than not, they will one day pass forward. That’s not a small thing! That is how professions sustain themselves across generations.”

D. Ray Hostetter, V’69, who spoke at the event, established the Hostetter Family Endowed Opportunity Scholarship in 2008 with his wife, Jane. He was also the recipient of the inaugural Opportunity Scholarship Founders Award in 2018 for his profound impact on Penn Vet’s scholarship program. In his comments, Hostetter emphasized that receiving a full four-year scholarship while he attended Penn Vet inspired his commitment to giving back to today’s students.

Scholarship recipient Ned Maguire, V’28, chapter president of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), thanked donors, emphasizing the profound impact their generosity has on students’ academic journeys. As a recipient of the Natalie Kim Student Award, named in memory of Natalie Kim, a first-year veterinary student who passed away in 2023, Maguire reflected on the financial realities of veterinary education and how scholarships not only ease that burden but also allow students to fully engage in service opportunities.

“This [scholarship] support gives me the freedom to pursue opportunities that align with my interests and values, and to focus on becoming the kind of veterinarian I aspire to be, one who is not only clinically skilled, but also compassionate and engaged in the community. That’s something for which I am incredibly grateful,” said Maguire, who plans to pursue a residency in oncology after graduation. “I want to thank everyone who contributes to scholarships at Penn Vet. Your generosity has a real and lasting impact, not just on our education, but on the kind of veterinarians we become and the communities we will go on to serve.”

Nearly Three Decades of Opportunity Scholarship Success

Ahead of the formal program, students and supporters came together for a coffee hour to celebrate Penn Vet’s Opportunity Scholarship Program. Established almost three decades ago by Dr. Charles W. Raker, V’42, the program is built on four core values: caring, compassion, competence, and communication. In addition to financial support, the scholarships also offer a structured platform for networking and mentorship opportunities among Penn Vet alumni and students.

During the reception, Deborah Gillette, DVM, PhD, MSEd, DACVP, an instructor in Pathology, was honored with the 2026 Charles W. Raker Opportunity Scholarship Award, which recognizes individuals within the School who serve as outstanding mentors and key contributors to the veterinary profession. In her absence, the award was accepted on Gillette’s behalf by student nominator, Stacie Shulman, V’28.

“It is especially meaningful to be given an award named for Dr. Raker, a distinguished surgeon and scholar whom I had the honor of meeting in person, and who I remember as a very kind and humble man despite his accomplishments and fame,” said Gillette in her prepared remarks read by Shulman, an aspiring pathologist. “I would like to recognize my very talented and hardworking Penn Vet students who lift me up every day. You will be great assets to the communities that you will serve, and I cannot wait to see all the ways that you will expand the boundaries of our profession in the years to come.”

To see photos of the event on Flickr.

About Penn Vet Scholarships

During the 2024-2025 academic year, more than 190 students received at least one scholarship, and 460 generous donors contributed $2.2 million to support Penn Vet scholarships. Go here to learn more about giving at Penn Vet, or here to support student scholarships.