Our Goal
The mission of the SEF Business Aptitude Award is to nurture business excellence among veterinary students, who will apply their knowledge and experience to advance the veterinary profession. With that in mind, each year, the SEF creates a new, real-world case study for which business-minded veterinary students will diagnose potential problems and present solutions.
About the Award
Value
In addition to the prestige of being named a nationally-recognized award recipient, the winner of the national award will also receive the following:
• $35,000 (there will also be a $15K award given for 2nd place and up to six $5K awards of merit)
• National award plaque
• A trip to the 2026 National VBMA conference to receive the award. This includes:
- Tuition to the conference, if required
- Round-trip coach airfare
- Lodging at one of the host hotels (up to 3 nights)
- A per diem to help cover cost of food and other incidentals
Eligibility
• Current VBMA member is strongly encouraged.
• A veterinary student graduating after January 2026 (i.e., 1st through 3rd year students)
• Not a previous winner
How to Apply
Required Materials for Submission:
- Professional-quality résumé
- A well-researched and organized case study that addresses the issues posed by a real-world scenario
Entrants will research and develop a case study diagnosing potential problems and solutions to a the real-world scenario posed by the SEF Awards Committee. Please submit your entry in both hard copy and digital (PDF on CD or flash drive). Presentation will be taken into consideration. The case study, along with a professional-quality résumé, should be physically mailed to:
Simmons Educational Fund Awards Committee
ATTN: David F. King, DVM, CVA
1083 Wilson Rd
Whitewright, TX 75491
If preferred, entrants may also email submission items to David King, in addition to mailing a hard copy.
Deadline
The deadline for the submission is September 30, 2025.
All entrants will be notified by email a few days after the deadline. Please do not email prior to that for delivery confirmation.
National Business Aptitude Award Recipients
- 2025 – Maxine Zaretsky, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2024 – Max Wunsche, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2023 – Thomas Kile, Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine
- 2022 – Lyla Kotsch, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2021 – Tiana Rangchi, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
- 2020 – Erin Sole, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2019 – Sara Beth Dodson, Virginia – Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2018 – Cynthia Kathir, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2017 – Yuan Kang, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2016 – Luke Morrow, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2015 – Geoff Landau, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2014 – Daniel Brown, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2013 – Brandon Prince, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
- 2012 – Elisha Adkins, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2011 – Emily Marcus, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2010 – John Graham, Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2009 – Nina Kieves – University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2008 – Natalie Barrett – Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2007 – Charles Bradley Singleton, Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2006 – Tanya BeGole, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 2005 – Brian MacKie, Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about the programs through which you can get involved with SEF and the business of veterinary medicine? Contact our team.
