Florida Animal Lover Gifts
$1M to Vet College

Florida resident, Alice Levin, who had visited Oklahoma State University only once, left over $1 million from her estate to ensure a positive future for the animals she loved following her death in 2002. Four advanced veterinary students honored in 2006 were named the first Levin Scholars.

“Though Alice is gone, her legacy significantly impacts the veterinary student scholarship program at OSU,” said Melinda McAfee, OSU Foundation director of gift planning.  “Her love for animals and intentional support for student scholarships aimed at rewarding academic excellence and financial need lives on.  Over the years, this fund will grow to support more students than she could have imagined.”

While searching for a charitable way to benefit animals, Levin came across the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences (CVHS) Web site. Working with the OSU Foundation, Levin created a planned gift to provide scholarships and small animal equipment for the CVHS Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Although Levin passed away in 2002, she indicated specific wishes in her will to achieve her dream—a way to improve the lives of the animals she cared for so deeply.

Endowed scholarships like the Levin endowment help many students pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. Levin Scholars are fourth year resident students intending to practice small animal medicine, and are based on financial need evidenced by a debt accumulation of expenses related to veterinary courses. OSU students Ricky Couch, Oliver Engle, Kimberly Ferguson and Stacy Swain received the inaugural Levin scholarships in the 2005-2006 academic year.

“The Alice Levin scholarship has allowed me to be more focused on the experience of being a fourth year veterinary student while lessening my financial worries and need for part-time income,” recipient Oliver Engle said. 

Because fourth year veterinary students are typically focused on practical experience and clinical rotations, many are unable to hold part-time jobs while completing their education. Engle says the scholarships provided by donors, like Levin, allow students like him to graduate without worrying about financial implications.

“I have done some rough calculations and figured that the Levin scholarship will save me years of repayment time and thousands of dollars in interest on my student loans,” he said.  “I cannot begin to express my appreciation for this award, and what it will mean to both my present situation and my future obligations.”

Depending on their area of specialization, veterinary students often face a large debt after attending college for eight or more years and completing residency and internship programs. With less than one-third of the university’s operating costs provided by state funds, CVHS depends on generous donor support to ensure successful futures for its students. Alumni and friends who support the center are vital.  CVHS appreciates donors who support the annual scholarship program as well as those like Alice Levin who commit to endowment through their planned gift. 

“Thanks to donors like Alice Levin, the CVHS scholarship program continues to grow,” said Dr. Michael Lorenz, professor and Dean of the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. “This year the CVHS awarded a total of $195,800 to students, staff and faculty. Several new scholarships helped increase the total dollars awarded by $31,900 over last year.”

The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents.  Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.

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