AVC presents 2022 Green Hat Award to philanthropist Roger Warren
The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island recently awarded Mr. Roger Warren with the 2022 Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award.
The award was presented during AVC’s annual Donor and Client Appreciation Night on Tuesday, November 29 to a crowd of over 100 attendees. Named in honour of the late Honourable Eugene F. Whelan, it is the highest honour given out by the College.
The award was established in 2000 to pay tribute to the people and organizations that have had a significant and positive impact on the growth and establishment of the Atlantic Veterinary College. Since the award was created, 26 Green Hat awards have been given out to individuals and organizations. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, the last time the award was presented was in 2019.
“Mr. Warren’s generosity has had a tremendous impact on the faculty, staff, and students at AVC,” says Dr. John VanLeeuwen, interim dean, AVC. “He has played a vital role in the advancement of our institution.”
Following an illustrious career in the world of business, Warren created the Rathlyn Foundation, which is a small, private family foundation. The foundation supports medical education and research, helps to advance veterinary science and education, and supports initiatives where trained animals are used to assist people with disabilities.
Through the Foundation, Warren has developed Rathlyn Renewable Scholarships at AVC for one doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) student entering their first year and is renewable each year for the duration of their program. These scholarships allow DVM students to focus on their education and help relieve the financial stress they may experience as post-secondary students.
The Foundation has supported numerous groups and centres at AVC including The Chinook Project, the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, and the AVC Wildlife Service. Most recently, the Rathlyn Foundation’s support has been instrumental in the development of the AVC’s Diagnostic Imaging Centre which will enhance patient care, and assist with teaching and learning for our faculty, staff, and students.
“Mr. Warren is a generous and inspiring supporter of AVC and his philanthropic giving will be felt for generations of veterinarians to come,” says Dr. VanLeeuwen. “His sincere interest in our students, his dedication to teaching and learning, and his desire to enhance our services have been felt deeply at AVC and we are incredibly grateful to him.”
