Published April 9, 2025
Melissa Cole, Pensacola State College Foundation
The Pensacola State College veterinary technology program just gained a new champion. Thanks to the generosity of a deeply dedicated donor, one deserving veterinary technology student will receive a full ride scholarship annually through the newly established William J. Trushel Veterinary Technology Endowed Scholarship.
The inaugural recipient is first-year student and lifelong animal lover, Lauren Buch. Lauren has been passionate about and fascinated with veterinary medicine for as long as she can remember.
“As a kid, I was always incredibly interested in animals; I loved them like any kid does. I even remember spending hours on a computer game that lets you take care of animals as a veterinarian,” Lauren reminisced. “As I grew older, I began to doubt myself. I told myself that I couldn’t actually be a vet.”
After ruling out veterinary care as a career path for years, Lauren discovered a love of science that led her to pursue pharmaceutical education at Pensacola State College. “I graduated with my associate degree in pre-pharmacy and discovered all too soon that I wasn’t passionate about it. On a whim, I found myself employed at an animal boarding facility and realized I can go somewhere with this.”
Lauren, having shed the fears that barred her path, found a love for medicine that caused her to give veterinary technology a chance. She has discovered her true calling.
“Every single day is an experience at PSC. When I toured the facility and saw that there was an x-ray room and a surgery suite, I knew this would be the hands-on learning experience that I wanted. It’s why I chose PSC,” Lauren shared.
Lauren expressed her desire to help educate the general public on animal health and the importance of seeking veterinary care to eliminate easily treated issues. “When I was little, I had a cat who was my everything. Unfortunately, my family didn’t have access to veterinary care, and we lost that cat far too young. When I think back, it was likely due to heartworms, which is completely preventable.”
After joining the veterinary technology program, Lauren found employment at a fear-free practice where she experienced hands-on large animal and equestrian care. This inspired her to set her sights on earning a veterinary technology certification with a specialization in feline behavior and care. With the support of the William J. Trushel Veterinary Technology Endowed Scholarship, Lauren will be able to accomplish her dream of providing quality care as a vet tech.
According to Veterinary Technology Assistant Professor, Sarah Meyer, students like Lauren will have boundless opportunities at their fingertips upon graduation. “The field today has changed so much over the past ten or fifteen years,” Sarah explained. “For students graduating now, the world is their oyster. They have the opportunities and it’s up to them to see how far they want to go.”
Sarah also highlighted the expansive possibilities brought forth by the sixteen specializations recognized by The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Ranging from emergency and critical care to diagnostic imaging and physical rehabilitation, veterinary technicians entering the workforce can pursue three-to-five-year certifications after graduating from PSC.
Above all else, Sarah emphasized the vital role that Pensacola State College plays in connecting veterinary technology students to the careers of their dreams. “I’ve got former students working at Texas A&M in the intensive care unit, in Portland working in an emergency clinic, and even employed with the biggest reference lab in veterinary medicine. Had they not been through this program, those opportunities wouldn’t have been available.”
Sarah added that leadership experience, self-advocacy, and professional development are incorporated into the veterinary technology program’s curriculum. This provides students the opportunity to practice resume building and mock interviews with their instructors.
“Not only do we prepare students with clinical and hands-on skills,” Sarah said. “We also emphasize soft skills, communication, body language, and leading difficult conversations. When you’re treating an animal in a clinical setting, you’re not only taking care of the patient, but the human behind it. It’s important to understand the scope of communication and the types of conversations that will happen between veterinary staff and clients.”
An avid animal lover, William Trushel is proud to support the PSC Veterinary Technology program. PSC veterinary technology students and instructors, PSC allied health and Foundation staff, and PSC Trustee Gordon “Flash” Sprague gathered over lunch with Mr. Trushel to celebrate his generosity on Monday, March 31. The celebration honored Trushel and his inaugural vet tech scholarship recipient, Lauren Buch.
Both the Elaine Trushel Nursing Endowed Scholarship and the William J. Trushel Veterinary Technology Endowed Scholarship will provide full-ride scholarships for deserving PSC students for generations to come.
Contributions to the scholarship can be made online by selecting “William J. Trushel Veterinary Technology Endowed Scholarship” from the drop-down menu at: https://foundation.pensacolastate.edu/opportunities-to-support-psc/scholarships/.
Gifts also can be made by check payable to “The Pensacola State College Foundation.” Checks can be mailed to or dropped off at: Pensacola State College Foundation, 1000 College Boulevard, Building 17, Pensacola, FL 32504.
Interested in establishing a scholarship to honor a special person or cause in your life? Contact Mikenzie Francis-Opperman, Director of Foundation Scholarships at (850) 484-1788 or mfrancis-opperman@pensacolastate.edu for more information.
