From speaker sessions to award ceremonies, the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) was well represented by faculty, staff, students, and alumni at the 2025 Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) Annual Conference. 

The event was held in conjunction with the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians in downtown Minneapolis from Jan. 29–Feb. 2. Faculty and staff members were among the 100-plus speaker roster and gave updates on their research findings and breakthroughs, shared helpful approaches for production and companion animal care, and presented resources for integrating new standards and resources into clinical care.

CVM and the Veterinary Medical Center, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the Minnesota Veterinary History Museum all had a booth presence at the conference, which typically sees more than 1,500 attendees. 

The CVM Alumni and Friends Society hosted a reception for alumni, faculty, current students, and friends to reunite with familiar faces and meet new ones. More than 200 alums attended the event. 

Awards

Outstanding Faculty: Dr. Erin Burton received the 2025 MVMA Outstanding Faculty award, which is awarded to a CVM faculty member who provides outstanding service to Minnesota veterinarians; who gives of their time and talent to the veterinary profession; a leader who makes a difference to the profession; and a dedicated contributor to organized veterinary medicine. Burton is an associate professor and the senior associate dean of academic & student affairs. Read more about Burton’s award here. 

Veterinarian of the Year: CVM alum Dr. Jim Bennett, ’81 DVM, was honored as the 2025 MVMA Veterinarian of the Year, which is awarded to an MVMA member who has given much to the veterinary profession as well as to their community—they are well-rounded and are outstanding in the profession. Bennett is an owner and veterinarian at Northern Livestock Clinic and is a past MVMA president. Read more about Bennett's award here. 

Emerging Leader: CVM alum Dr. Lukas Wallerich, ’15 DVM, won the 2025 MVMA Emerging Leader Award, which is awarded to an MVMA member who has graduated from veterinary school within the past 10 years and has demonstrated achievement and leadership through veterinary community involvement, and actively engaged with others in the profession. Wallerich is a veterinarian at Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital. Read more about Wallerich’s award here. 

Veterinary Technician of the Year: Veterinary Medical Center large animal internal medicine technician Paul Weinand was named the 2025 Veterinary Technician of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians. The award recognizes a veterinary technician who has gone above and beyond for their patients and the veterinary community.

Scholarships

Veterinary student scholarships were announced during the conference. Twenty-six scholarships totaling $180,000 were awarded to CVM students by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation. For a complete list of winners, click here.