The University of Missouri’s Chancellor, R. Bowen Loftin, honored Gary Savill and Barbara Stampfli-Savill Monday after the couple donated $2.5 million to Mizzou’s school of Veterinary Medicine.
Savill said it was the MU staff that stimulated the couple’s desire to offer the endowment to Mizzou.
"What can we do that’s going to be worthwhile, something that’s going to last. What drove and attracted us to here was the personal relationship that was fostered on day one,” Savill said.
This funding will be focused on aiding students through a scholarship program, and is aimed at further diversifying the veterinary profession. The scholarships will be based on financial need, and preference will be given to students who belong to ethnic groups.
Loftin drew from personal experience to note the importance of veterinary schools.
“A loved pet being cared for by the school, and you have all the anxiety you can imagine you can have. You also see the warmth, the compassion and the love of not only the veterinarians, but also their technical team," Loftin said.
The couple also donated a motorcycle that is intended to be raffled off and was crafted by their St. Louis based business called Silver Wraith Choppers. The Savills hope this will raise an additional $100,000 for the school.
Tickets can be purchased for $100 from the School of Veterinary Medicine for a chance to win.
