Fur Ball Raises Funds for Scholarship Named For Late Classmate

When veterinary students need a break from the stresses of schoolwork, they take things to a “formal” level.

group photo at fur ball formal

The veterinary class of 2019 hosted the annual Fur Ball formal on Saturday, Feb. 10, as an outlet for veterinary students from all four classes to mingle, socialize, and dance in Bryan’s Astin Mansion.

It was an evening of long, glittery gowns, and spiffy suit jackets. But this year’s event took on an even greater meaning, as the students took the opportunity to remember fellow third-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student Jacob Cahoon, who died in October 2017.

In Cahoon’s honor, the group decided to offer 20 percent of the ticket sales and $1 from all signature drink sales to benefit the Jacob Cahoon Memorial Scholarship endowment.

Also that evening, the attendees paid their respects by observing a moment of silence and playing one of Cahoon’s favorite songs.

Class of 2019 event coordinator Caitlin Spillers said she believed the benefit had an impact on the turnout and support of the event, with attendance tripling from the last Fur Ball. It also had an impact on the amount raised, with the group collecting $1,500, a number Spillers said speaks to the number of people who cared for Cahoon.

group photo at fur ball formal

“A lot of people who could not attend made donations or bought a ticket anyway, just because they wanted to support it,” Spillers said. “I think that the attendance had a huge part in everyone wanting to support the cause.”

“It’s really overwhelming, the support our class has had from administration, classmates and everyone else throughout this whole process,” she said. “It’s so humbling and overwhelming.”

The 2018 Fur Ball returned after a one-year hiatus, and Spillers said all were excited to bring the Fur Ball back this year.

“The purpose of Full Ball is to provide an outlet for the vet students to have a good time and get to know each other a little better,” Spillers said. “We were really looking forward to being able to bring it back this year. It’s a great way for us to remember that we are a community and we are all in this together.”

To see more images from the event, click here.


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