AVC Class of 2026 leaves legacy gift for students and staff as part of a longstanding tradition
The Atlantic Veterinary College’s (AVC) Class of 2026 has raised approximately $7,000 to support the purchase of new audiovisual equipment for surgical facilities in the College’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
The Class of 2026’s gift is in keeping with the long-standing tradition at AVC whereby each graduating class gives the College a legacy gift. The annual class gift is intended to reflect students’ experiences at AVC while making a meaningful contribution to the College’s future. These gifts not only commemorate each graduating class but also enhance teaching and learning opportunities and improve the day-to-day experience of students, faculty, and staff.
To carry on this tradition, the Class of 2026 executive invited input from their peers to identify a priority area for support. Based on this feedback, the class collectively chose to contribute to a dedicated fund that enabled the acquisition of the new equipment, which will support surgical education and training for years to come.
By supporting the implementation of new audiovisual technology, the Class of 2026 hopes to expand opportunities for students to observe and engage with surgical procedures taking place in the operating room. Additionally, this equipment will allow clinicians to record and share procedures, creating valuable resources for teaching, discussion, and student-led learning initiatives. They hope this contribution will foster continued collaboration, curiosity, and growth for the many classes that follow.
“As students who have had the privilege of learning alongside clinicians such as Dr. Katie Hoddinott, Dr. Adam Ogilvie, and Dr. Peter Moak, as well as talented surgical residents and interns, we recognize the importance of increasing access to a wider range of surgical experiences,” said Anya M. Nowicki, AVC Class of 2026 treasurer and graduating Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student. “Not all students have the opportunity to observe less common or more complex procedures firsthand, and this gift aims to help bridge that gap.”
Over the past four years, the class worked diligently to raise funds for this gift. The total donation reflects a combination of dues from members of the class and proceeds from numerous fundraising initiatives. These efforts included bake sales, AVC-wide events such as pub crawls, themed parties, the class’s annual Suture Review event, and merchandise sales featuring student-designed artwork.
“The Class of 2026 would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the entire AVC community—students, faculty, clinicians, and support staff—who supported our fundraising efforts,” said Nowicki. “This gift would not have been possible without the strong sense of community that defines AVC. Likewise, our success as a class is a direct result of the encouragement, mentorship, and support we have received throughout our journey.”
