Joe Ann Ward - “Furthering a Vision”
Joe Ann Ward
Joe Ann Ward of Jackson supports areas of Mississippi State University she feels her late husband would have chosen himself, particularly the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Ward has been a generous supporter of CVM for a number of years, volunteering her time and financial resources. Her late husband, Jackson veterinarian Hugh G. Ward, played a key role in its establishment at Mississippi State.
As then-president of the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, Hugh Ward traveled the state seeking support for its creation. As a member of the advisory committee at its formation in 1977, he also was one of the first practicing professionals to serve as a preceptor and mentor of students.
Today, the university's College of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 27 fully accredited veterinary colleges in the nation.
Originally, the Wards had planned to make a deferred gift to the university. However, following her husband's death in an automobile accident, Mrs. Ward decided otherwise.
Wise Center
"I want to do anything I can do to keep Hugh's veterinary college on the map," Joe Ann Ward said. "The veterinary college is like an extension of our family and I want to see it reach the next level of excellence just as my husband would have."
Several years ago, Ward created the college's first endowed faculty position in her husband's memory. A second gift from her also funded a small animal critical care unit in the college's Animal Health Center.
The critical care unit for small animals is a major addition for CVM's Animal Health Center, which examines, diagnoses and treats more than 6,000 individually owned pets a year. Cases of animal disease and injury typically are referred to the hospital from veterinary colleagues in Mississippi and surrounding states. In addition to enhancing the hospital's clinical care capabilities, the unit provides a unique laboratory for students to learn medical concepts in intensive and critical care delivery.
Ward, the owner of Briarwood Enterprises, remains active with the college, serving on its advisory board. She has also served as a board member for the MSU Foundation.
For more information on supporting the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State, please telephone Keith Gaskin, senior development director, at 662.325.3815 or email kgaskin@foundation.msstate.edu.
