Scholarships

2012 Winners Announced for College Veterinary Student Scholarships!

Tampa, Florida – March 5, 2012 – The Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2012 scholarships for veterinary students in Hillsborough County.  The Foundation awarded scholarships for students at three schools:  Hillsborough Community College, St. Petersburg College, and the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine.  Each college named the most deserving recipient, and those students were honored at the Foundation’s Annual Dinner on March 3.

Dr. Felicity Talbot, President of the Foundation, had the pleasure of naming Samantha C Sacasa winner for Hillsborough Community College’s Certified Veterinary Technician Program, Jing Lin as winner of the St. Petersburg College’s Certified Veterinary Technician Program, and Peter Otovic as winner of the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine’s DVM Program.  Dr. Vincent Centonze, Dean of HCC, was on hand to introduce Samantha, and said, “no better student is in our program, as Samantha learns so quickly and will be a wonderful asset to the veterinary community.  Dr. Richard Flora, Dean of SPC, introduced the SPC winner and said of Jing Lin, “when our faculty was polled as to this year’s winner, every application contained just one name – Jing Lin.  Jing came to America from China unable to speak English, yet quickly mastered English and started college.  He wants to eventually attend medical school.”  Ms Patricia Wlasuk was present from UF and introduced Peter Otovic, stating “Peter is an amazing student, who gradates this spring and has already been admitted into the residency program at John Hopkins University.”  This is the 12thyear of awarding scholarships, and these three students continue the exemplary character of the winners of the scholarships. 

The Foundation is privileged to be able to support the two local veterinary programs for technicians at Hillsborough Community College and St. Petersburg College, as well as the outstanding medical program at UF.

Above is the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine winner Peter Otovic with Ms. Patricia Wlasuk (left) and Ms. Jo Ann Winn, representatives from the College.

Above is Hillsborough Community College Certified Veterinary Technician winner Samantha Sacasa receiving her award from the College Dean, Dr. Vincent Centzone as Dr. Felicity Talbot, President of the Foundation, looks on.

Above is St. Petersburg College Certified Veterinary Technician Scholarship winner Jing Lin receiving his award from Dr. Richard Flora, Dean of the College, and Dr. Felicity Talbot, President of the Foundation.