Get Involved
Ways to Connect to Penn Vet
In addition to the opportunities listed below, Penn Vet Alumni participate in various ways, such as interacting with student clubs, speaking at events, serving on committees, mentoring, and more.
- Penn Vet Alumni Board collaborates closely with the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine and Alumni Relations on various projects to connect alumni, students, and the public to promote engagement and stewardship.
- Class Reunion Planning: Assist in organizing your class reunion, recruiting classmates for reconnection, sending communications, and more. Contact Alumni Relations for further details!
- PAVED: The goal of PAVED (Penn Alumni Veterinarians for Equity and Diversity) is to create a network of alumni who wish to build a community, develop support systems, and provide opportunities to create connections among alumni and students to support the goal of equity and diversity in veterinary medicine. Partnering with Alumni Relations, PAVED aims to engage alumni volunteers who are supportive of Penn Vet’s diverse alumni populations, while also identifying leaders who can share a wide range of experiences and knowledge as veterinary professionals.

Opportunity Scholarship Program

Established in 1998 by respected faculty member and mentor, Dr. Charles W. Raker V’42, the program offers financial assistance and mentorship benefits to students throughout their entire veterinary school education.
The program, designed to address the increasing educational and financial demands on students, pairs them with mentors who provide valuable guidance, insights into veterinary medicine, and support throughout their education. These mentor-mentee relationships often extend beyond graduation, underscoring the program’s impact on personal and professional development. With over 250 students and alumni having participated, the program emphasizes Dr. Raker’s “4 C’s” philosophy: caring, compassion, commitment, and communication, instilling these values in future veterinarians.
Update Your Contact Information and Share Your News
Our graduates achieve remarkable successes every day. Whether you have a new address, are moving forward in your career, announcing an addition to the family or honoring the life of a fellow alumnus, Alumni Relations wants to hear about it. Use this form to provide us with your updates. Updating your address and email will ensure you receive communications and alumni news, including the Bellwether magazine.
Go ahead! Update your contact information and share your news!
Connect with Penn Alumni — VMDs are also part of the larger the University of Pennsylvania Alumni community. Find out more ways you can connect participate through Penn.

Penn Alumni
VMDs are also part of the larger the University of Pennsylvania Alumni community. Find out more ways you can connect participate through Penn.
MyPenn
Have you changed your address? Get a new job? Through MyPenn‘s system, you can search for fellow alumni and update your information on your own.
Follow the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine page and request to join the Penn Vet Alumni Group to help grow the group and connect with fellow VMDs.
- Fill out the Penn Vet Alumni Contact Information form to share your news and updates.
- Feel free to search here to find a VMD in your area.
Alumni Awards

Learn about the dedicated and caring alumni who have consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to Penn Vet and the profession. See a list of past recipients and find out how to nominate a VMD.
Penn Vet Alumni Award of Merit — recognizes alumni who have displayed outstanding leadership and service to the School of Veterinary Medicine, while excelling in the veterinary profession, and staying involved in the community. Nominate alumni for the Alumni Award of Merit.
Penn Vet Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award — recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the veterinary profession. Service to the profession may be in their veterinary work, research, or in a volunteer capacity doing veterinary work in their community. Nominate alumni for the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.
University of Pennsylvania Alumni Award of Merit — The recipients of the University’s Alumni Award of Merit are selected by the Awards and Resolutions Committee of the Penn Alumni Board of Directors. The recipients are individuals who exemplify what it means to be a truly “involved” Penn alumnus.
Contact Penn Vet Alumni Relations
Phone: (215) 898-1480
Email: vetalumni@vet.upenn.edu