This April, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) recognized more than 100 student scholarship recipients and the generous donors whose support makes it possible to award students with more than $550,000 in scholarship assistance. This is the fourth consecutive year that the number of scholarships given at the CVM grew. While the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the cancellation of this spring's reception, the College celebrates the generous donors and hardworking students that make our CVM community so special.

Among the outstanding CVM student scholarship recipients is Zach Bradley, ’20 DVM, a multiyear scholarship recipient who was recently honored with The Class of 1955 Memorial Fund Scholarship. This scholarship, funded by alumni from that class year, assists a fourth-year student in the food animal program.

Bradley also received the Steven Ramsdell Memorial Scholarship in 2019. The scholarship was established by the Ramsdell family in memory of their son, who tragically died after his sophomore year in veterinary school. It is awarded to a student in their third year of veterinary school with a positive mental attitude toward life and people, and strong interests outside of veterinary school. Students selected for this scholarship are well-liked by classmates and faculty and are widely considered to be all-around nice people. The scholarship is funded by the generous alumni from the Class of 1986, which continues Steve Ramsdell’s legacy by honoring students of high character.

New gifts to scholarship funds, such as the Stephen Ramsdell Memorial Scholarship, and the Class of 1955 Memorial Fund Scholarship, help increase the number of awards for students who face a growing burden of debt as they pursue their degree in veterinary medicine. Every gift helps to make an impact on hardworking students like Bradley.

Bradley, who is originally from Simsbury, Conn., says he has been greatly impacted by these awards: "The best part about my time at the College of Veterinary Medicine has been the friendships that I have made,” says Bradley. “We watch out for each other and the support has been an instrumental part of my well-being and success throughout the last three years."