CVM recognizes outstanding DVM students
Hours before celebrating its 130-member DVM graduating class, the College of Veterinary Medicine honored some of its outstanding seniors for high academic achievement and clinical excellence.
The CVM presented 34 student awards recognizing general excellence, as well as clinical proficiency in such areas as surgery, small animal internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology and radiology, among others.
Two faculty members, Dr. Jessica Rush and Dr. Jenna Stockler, earned the Clinician of the Year and VM4 Teaching Award, respectively.
View the complete list of award recipients:
2026 Senior Awards
| Award Name | Recipient |
|---|---|
| Dr. Danny K. Newhard Award | Joy Kappesser |
| Excellence in Cardiology | Laura Cox |
| 2026 AAHA Award for Proficiency in Primary Care | Dawna Boudot |
| 2026-2027 Feline VMA Outstanding Senior Award | Madee Weaver |
| Ophthalmology (SA) Clinical Proficiency Award | Elizabeth Carpenter |
| Ophthalmology (LA) Clinical Proficiency Award | Jenna Robertson |
| American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology Award | Conner Velasco |
| Purina Excellence in Nutrition Award | Allison Fialkowski |
| Excellence in SA Internal Medicine | Mari Margaret Comer |
| SA Medical Proficiency Award | Becca Riesenberger |
| ACVIM Certificate of Clinical Excellence (SAIM) | Joy Kappsesser |
| Certificate of Clinical Excellence | Margaret Jacks |
| 2026 ACVS Foundation Student Surgery Proficiency Award | Bethany Jackson |
| 2026 ACVS Foundation Student Surgery Proficiency Award | William Newton |
| Equine Sports Medicine Award of Excellence | Maddie Smith |
| Equine Internal Medicine Award of Excellence | Julia Schindler |
| ACVIM Certificate of Clinical Excellence (LAIM) | Kayla Yates Townsend |
| Excellence in Equine Ambulatory | Sierra Ott |
| Don Walker Food Animal Excellence Award | Taylor Mauldin |
| Walter J. Gibbons Memorial Award | Jenna Robertson |
| Farm Animal Internal Medicine Award of Excellence | Elizabeth Steelmon |
| Society for Theriogenology Award | Elly Vinton |
| American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology Award | Noelle Bircher-Hamm |
| Dermatology Award | Garrett Smith |
| JE Bartels Radiology Award | Alonza Klopfer |
| American College of Veterinary Radiology | Anna Mathis |
| SAVMA Outstanding Senior Award | Katie Davis |
| Jamie Bellah Excellence in Raptor Rehabilitation Clinical Student Award | Ashley Duncan |
| Excellence in Raptor Care | Payton McCaleb |
| ACVP Proficiency Award | Adam Tapley |
| Deans Award | Lyndsay Gooch |
| President’s Award | Ashley Duncan |
| Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award | Marissa Pellis |
| Gentle Doctor Award | Braxton Cox |
| Clinician of the Year | Dr. Jessica Rush |
| VM4 Teaching Award | Dr. Jenna Stockler |