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Professor helps endow second scholarship

 By Sarah Carey

Dr. Paul Nicoletti presents a check to Dean Hoffsis on Jan. 8, 2013. (Photo by Sarah Carey)

Dr. Paul Nicoletti, a professor emeritus of infectious diseases at the college, has provided the funding to cap off the Paul Nicoletti FARMS Scholarship endowment, bringing to fruition the second veterinary student scholarship he helped create.

The annual interest from the permanently endowed fund will benefit junior or senior students with an interest in Food Animal Medicine, with preference to be given students with a dual interest in Food Animal Medicine and Public Health. The minimum level of funds required to endow a scholarship is $30,000.

“Dr. Nicoletti’s most recent gift of $3,500, combined with gifts from other donors, brought his original $25,000 gift  up to endowment level,” said Patricia Wlasuk, assistant director of development and alumni affairs for the college.

Nicoletti’s original student scholarship gift was made in 2003 to benefit veterinary students with financial need and with an interest in pursuing a career in public health. The fund now holds approximately $45,000 and 10 scholarships have been awarded to 10 students since its creation.

One recipient of the first Paul Nicoletti Scholarship in Public Health, Sandra Simko (’12), said she was not only honored to have received it, but felt fortunate in that she had been able to get to know Nicoletti as well.

“”It is well known that the cost of veterinary medicine is ever rising, and Dr. Nicoletti’s philanthropy helped me to defray some of this financial burden,” Simko said. “I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian, while earning a degree in public health as well. Dr. Nicoletti’s generosity and encouragement helped to make this dream become a reality. He is truly a remarkable individual.”