$1M gift fuels future of veterinary medicine with commitment for scholarships and human-animal interaction research at U of A By Mindy Burnett
A $1 million gift commitment from the Mars and Airth families will support the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine’s efforts to empower students and advance research. The gift – which reflects the families’ commitment to veterinary medicine and creating a better world for people and animals – will fund the Mars/Airth Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine endowment and ongoing human-animal interaction research. The scholarship will provide $70,000 of financial support per year over the next five years to students pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. “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.
In addition to the endowed scholarship, the gift commitment will provide $130,000 per year to ongoing research on the connections between humans and animals and the effects of these relationships. This financial gift creates opportunities to strategically expand and invest in research exploring how animals influence community health and well-being. “Mars’ and Airth 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 impact both humans and animals positively.” “The incredible research coming out of the College of Veterinary Medicine is a source of pride for the U of A,” said John- Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the
56 FALL 2025 VETMED.ARIZONA.EDU
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator