Donor Impact: Summer 2021

“The Animal Science/Pre-Vet program at UF assists our students greatly toward building upon their abilities and interests in animals. The  extensive experiential learning students utilize every day prepares them thoroughly for a variety of careers in the animal science field. Giving to the program creates growth and success for alumni all across the globe.”

Marcia Sloan Latta, Ed.D.
Vice President for University Advancement

 
“UF provided a strong foundation for both academic and personal growth in leadership. I believe the opportunities with Findlay helped me to be successful with veterinary school and beyond. Our hope through [The Animal Science Findlay Forward Scholarship] would be to support students to be future leaders in their professions.” 

Drs. Adam ‘02 and Jennifer Hechko

 

“UF’s Animal Science/Pre-Vet Program produces some of the best practitioners on the planet. Students spend four years immersed in the nuances of animal care while consuming key academic knowledge taught by talented educators. If you want to be successful in a career working with animals, there is no better place to be.” 

Ken McIntyre, UF Director of Gift Planning

 

“Our desire is that the [Alexandria “Ali” Gokey Memorial Scholarship] will provide an opportunity for a student to follow in Ali’s footsteps, impacting the University and equine industry, while making their dreams a reality.” 

Amber Gokey, sister of Alexandria “Ali” Gokey

 

Dr. C. Richard Beckett and his son, Dr. Tod Beckett, are two men dedicated to University of Findlay and its Animal Science/Pre-Vet Program. 

Dr. C. Richard Beckett, a UF trustee emeritus and member of UF’s C.T. Fox Legacy Society, first became involved in UF through his work as a veterinarian and as founder of Findlay Animal Clinic. He helped establish the Equestrian Studies Program in 1976 and served as the program’s first veterinarian. He was responsible for launching the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program in 1982 after careful planning and leveraging resources afforded by the Equestrian Studies Program. Today, it is the largest undergraduate program at UF. Over his 40+ years of service to UF, Dr. C Richard Beckett’s leadership, passion and dedication to UF has had a lasting impact on students’ pursuits of their meaningful lives and productive careers. Named in his honor, the Dr. C. Richard Beckett Animal Science Building opened in 2009, setting a new standard for facilities for animal science programs. He has been named a Distinguished Associate at UF and received an Honorary Doctorate of Entrepreneurial Business; also, in 2014, he was awarded the University’s prestigious Arch Award for more than 25 years of service   to UF. 

As a member, and then chairman of the UF Board of Trustees for 12 years, many funds, building acquisitions and expansions, and projects were fulfilled with his support to UF, resulting in establishing the C. Richard Beckett Pre-Veterinary Scholarship Endowment Fund, the Concert and Lecture Series, and the Center for Student Life and College of Business, among other successes. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, Dr. Tod Beckett, Medical Director for VCA Mill Run Animal Hospital in Hilliard, Ohio, became a member of the UF Board of Trustees in 2018. He puts much focus, he said, on mentoring young students and veterinarians, and has hired many from UF, continuing the development and support of UF and its students. 

University of Findlay’s animal science/pre-vet program recognizes the Becketts for their unwavering support and for their combined vision for the future of UF and its students and alumni.