About a year ago, on Jan. 7, 2003, Peri Tumay, an outstanding Vet School grad, died in Istanbul, Turkey.
In order to remember the 1996 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, the Peri Tumay DVM Memorial Fellowship has been established by the Vet School.
“Peri was a lovely person in all respects,” said Maureen McGlynn, a 1996 graduate of the Vet School. “She is dearly missed by everyone who knew her.”
Pat Edwards, director of veterinary medicine, said the fellowship is “the first fellowship awarded to a veterinary medicine student working toward a DVM degree.”
Tumay’s parents, Dr. Mehmet Tumay, associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Engineering, and his wife have made a donation to the LSU Foundation to establish the fellowship in honor of their daughter.
“She was known for her exemplary approach in caring for animals,” said Joseph Taboada, associate dean of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
In a recent LSU press release, Michael G. Groves, dean of the Vet School, said the established fellowship is “a remarkable tribute to remember such an outstanding veterinary student and professional.”
“She had a love for animals when she was 3 years old,” Tumay said. He said she loved horses, so he and his wife bought her one when she was younger. When she had enough money she bought herself another horse. Tumay said Peri’s love for animals reached beyond horses because she also had a dog she loved dearly. He said she enjoyed horseback riding and was a great swimmer.
Dr. Tumay said the fellowship will be awarded annually to a third-year veterinary student with a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher, and in the top five percent of his or her class. Females will be given preference and financial need will be taken into consideration.
The recipient of the fellowship, which will be awarded in April 2004, will be decided by the Vet School.
Groves said this fellowship will not only serve as a lasting memorial for Peri, but will encourage future veterinarians to achieve her high standard for academic excellence and her compassion for animals.
In March 2001, Peri and her husband became co-owners of the East Orange Animal Hospital in Orlando, Fla. Her husband continues to practice with the co-owner of the hospital.
Peri and her husband, Dr. James Carrol Roden, both graduated from the Vet School in May 1996, in the top five of their class.
Among Peri’s many accomplishments at LSU were receiving the Lorio Children’s Memorial Scholarship in 1993, the Baton Rouge Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Scholarship in 1994 and the Salsbury Scholarship in 1995. She was also named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities in 1993.
Prior to her time at the Vet School, Peri graduated as a National Merit Scholar from Baton Rouge Magnet High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in dairy science from LSU in December 1990.
People interested in contributing to the Peri Tumay, DVM Memorial Fellowship can call (225) 578-9870 or e-mail [email protected].