$2.5 million supports Missouri scholarships

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The University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine announced March 3 that it received an estate commitment of $2.5 million from philanthropists Gary Savill and Barbara Stampfli-Savill.

Gary Savill and Barbara Stampfli-Savill (Courtesy of University of Missouri)

The Stampfli-Savill endowment will provide one or more scholarships each year to cover 50 percent of tuition and fees for veterinary students who demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students from underrepresented minority groups. In addition, veterinary students awarded scholarships from the endowment will be required to perform at least 120 hours of animal-related community and volunteer service each year.

“Barbara and I are both avid animal lovers and we also know how hard it can be for the wonderful people who train to help them clear up debts and start their practice upon graduation but we hope this choice can make some part of that transition easier,” Gary wrote on his company’s website, silverwraithchoppers.com.

The couple, who had no prior affiliation with Mizzou or the veterinary college, was inspired to give to the college after reading about the philanthropy of other donors, according to the university press release.

“We are grateful to Barbara and Gary for their generosity to the college and appreciate their desire to help increase diversity within the veterinary profession,” said Dr. Neil Olson, dean of the MU veterinary college. “Their additional aim of fostering community service is one we as a college also embrace.”

In addition to their $2.5 million gift, the Stampfli-Savills, who own and operate Silver Wraith Choppers in St. Louis, donated a custom-built motorcycle to the veterinary college to be raffled as part of its annual Gentle Doctor Benefit held April 5 to support veterinary student scholarships.