The exemplary work of faculty and staff throughout the College of Veterinary Medicine's academic departments and hospitals was recently celebrated at the 2025 Education Day. 

The awards honor instructors in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (VBS), the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS), Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (VBS), the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, and the Veterinary Medical Center. 

The following awards were presented on Education Day:

Zoetis Distinguished Teaching Award was presented to Margaret Root Kustritz. This Zoetis-sponsored award is the most prestigious CVM faculty teaching award. The winner is selected by veterinary students in all years.

Excellence in Teaching (VCS Faculty) was presented to Daniel Heinrich. The recipient was selected by the third-year students as the most outstanding teacher during their first three years of veterinary school. 

Excellence in Clinical Teaching (VCS Faculty) was presented to Laura Motschenbacher. The recipient was selected by the fourth-year students as the most outstanding clinical teacher during their fourth year of small animal clinical rotations. 

Excellence in Clinical Teaching (VCS Resident/Intern) was presented to Jessica Byrne. The recipient of the award was selected by the fourth-year Small Animal Track students as the most outstanding clinical teacher during their fourth year of small animal clinical rotations.

Excellence in Didactic Teaching (VPM Faculty) was presented to Christie Ward. The recipient was selected by the third-year students as the most outstanding teacher during their first three years of veterinary school.

Excellence in Clinical or Diagnostic Teaching (VPM Faculty) was presented to Perle Zhitnitskiy. The recipient was selected by the fourth-year Large Animal/Mixed Track students as the most outstanding clinical teacher during their fourth year of large animal clinical rotations

Excellence in Clinical or Diagnostic Teaching (VPM Resident/Intern) was presented to Dana Cleff. The recipient was selected by the fourth-year Large Animal/Mixed Track students as the most outstanding clinical teacher during their fourth year of large animal clinical rotations

Outstanding Teacher (VBS Faculty) was presented to Chris Hergenrade. The recipient was selected by students in all years as the most outstanding teacher during the first three years of their veterinary training. 

Outstanding Staff Teaching Award was presented to Kathy Wabner. This recipient is selected by first-, second-, and third-year students. The award acknowledges the outstanding contributions made by a staff member to the experience of students in the DVM curriculum. 

Undergraduate Teaching Award was presented to Tim Johnson. Department chairs and vice-chairs nominate faculty who have made outstanding contributions to undergraduate student learning.

Outstanding Graduate Advising/Teaching Award was presented to Hinh Ly. The award recipient was nominated by a fellow faculty member in recognition of his commitment to graduate studies, including creating research and training opportunities, spearheading diversity initiatives, and improving processes and operations in the Graduate Program Office.  

Excellence in Course Coordination Award (Year l) was presented to Chris Hergenrader. The award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding contributions to student learning through excellence in course coordination. 

Excellence in Course Coordination Award (Year ll) was presented to Daniel Heinrich. The award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding contributions to student learning through excellence in course coordination. 

Excellence in Course Coordination Award (Year lll) was presented to Caitlin Tearney and Raye Taylor. The award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding contributions to student learning through excellence in course coordination.

Excellence in Course Coordination Award (Year lV) was presented to Lindsay Merkel. The award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding contributions to student learning through excellence in course coordination. 

Excellence in Clinical Teaching (Small Animal Technician) was presented to Ryan Nichols. The recipient was selected by the fourth-year students as having contributed significantly to their clinical year.

Excellence in Clinical Teaching (Large Animal Technician) was presented to Alexa Knoell. The recipients were selected by the fourth-year students as having contributed significantly to their clinical year.