The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine has received a $1 million gift commitment from the Mars and Airth families to support student education and advance research into the human-animal bond.
The donation will be divided between two key areas. A major portion will establish the Mars/Airth Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine endowment, which is set to provide $70,000 in financial aid each year for the next five years to students pursuing veterinary careers.
“This scholarship endowment will support our students’ financial well-being and contribute to the long-term success of future veterinary professionals,” said Dr. Julie Funk, dean of the college.
The remaining funds will provide $130,000 annually to expand ongoing research into the connections between humans and animals. This investment will allow the college to grow its research teams and explore how these relationships influence community health and well-being.
“This financial commitment enables us to push the boundaries of what we know about human-animal bonds, expand our research teams, and foster further innovation,” said Maggie O’Haire, associate dean of research and a professor at the college. “Our work has the potential to positively impact both humans and animals.”
Launched in 2020, the University of Arizona’s College of Veterinary Medicine is the state’s only public veterinary program. It features an innovative, three-year curriculum that allows students to enter the workforce a year earlier than graduates of traditional four-year programs.
John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation, noted the gift’s significance. “This gift is a great example of how philanthropy can power important research, in this case the human-animal bond, which plays a huge role in so many lives.”
The commitment is part of the university’s $3 billion “Fuel Wonder” fundraising campaign, which supports student success and powers new research in critical fields.
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