Welcome to the Veterinary Science Class of 2025

Posted on: 28 August 2025 by Christina Ratcliffe (BVSc 2020), Communications Officer for the University of Liverpool Veterinary Alumni Association in Community

It’s always a joy to celebrate the culmination of years of hard work and dedication at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall as fifth years officially became veterinary surgeons. Congratulations on all your achievements – we can’t wait to hear (and see!) what you get up to next.

Now that you have graduated, you are officially a member of the University of Liverpool Veterinary Alumni Association (ULVAA).

ULVAA aims to:

Provide a supportive community of veterinary graduates
Keep veterinary graduates connected with the School and one another
Help the next generation of vets (i.e. you!) thrive.

ULVAA are also behind the John Tandy Final Year Student Award, and we’re excited to announce this years’ recipient…

John Tandy Final Year Student Award

This year the John Tandy Final Year Student Award was awarded to Kate Saunders (BVSc 2025).

The award, launched in 2018 as the University of Liverpool Veterinary Alumni Association Final Year Student Award, was renamed to commemorate John Tandy (BVSc 1957). John was an enthusiastic supporter of the School of Veterinary Science and its students and was a constant on the ULVAA Committee until just before his death.

Nominations are submitted by peers in recognition of the outstanding contribution made by a final-year student to student life at the School of Veterinary Science. The criteria for award embody what John was all about: a student whom contemporaries feel has contributed most to the student community.

Kate was nominated by her fellow students, who shared:

“Throughout our time at vet school, Kate has been an indispensable part of our cohort – a true pillar of support, leadership, and camaraderie.

Kate has served as year representative consistently from our second year to our fifth, demonstrating remarkable commitment and reliability. In fourth year, she also took on the role of Leahurst Vice-President, further evidencing her dedication to enhancing the student experience. Her leadership has been vital in the success and cohesion of our cohort, and her contributions have extended far beyond formal responsibilities.

One example of her hard work was her organisation of our halfway weekend in third year, a much-needed opportunity for us to celebrate our progress and achievements. It was a milestone event that brought us closer together.

Kate has tirelessly supported us both academically and personally. Her clear, consistent communication as year rep has kept us informed and reassured, and her timely reminders about deadlines have, on many occasions, been lifesaving. She has always taken the time to listen to our concerns and ensure they were addressed appropriately. It’s truly impressive she’s managed to do all of this while completing the course herself!

Her unwavering dedication to our collective wellbeing, all while managing the demands of the course, reflects her selflessness and resilience. Kate has given countless hours to planning, organising, and advocating on our behalf, and the positive impact she has had on our experience cannot be overstated.

We genuinely cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. Without Kate, our time at vet school would have been infinitely more difficult, and undoubtedly far less enjoyable. And, of course, no tribute to Kate would be complete without mentioning her infectious and unforgettable laugh, which has brightened even the toughest of days.”

On winning the award, Kate shared: “I am honoured to be awarded the John Tandy Final Year Student Award. It has been my genuine pleasure to help make everyone’s experience at Vet School the best it can be, and one to remember!

I would like to give a huge thank you to all the students who nominated me, and their kind words when doing so. The four years of being your year rep has been a blast.

Thank you so much to all the students, staff, and vets who have worked with me and supported me. I’m heading off to work as an equine vet (+ a few alpacas and goats!) in Worcestershire starting late August.”

Clare Harrison Memorial Fund

A poignant moment during the graduation celebrations was the posthumous awarding of a BSc (Hons) in Animal Sciences to Clare Harrison. The degree certificate was presented by Anna Maxwell, former Co-President of LUVS, who has both helped to review student applications and fundraise for the Clare Harrison Memorial Fund.

This year marks 30 years of the Clare Harrison Memorial Fund, established to commemorate Clare after she was tragically killed while riding at a horse trial just as she began her fourth-year studies. The fund has provided help to hundreds of students on the veterinary course experiencing financial difficulty.

Clare’s legacy continues to shape the future of so many vets who are practising today, and the Memorial Fund is endowed with donations from family, friends, and the School of Veterinary Science, including the students themselves.