St. Louis Couple Gives $2.5 Million to Fund Veterinary Medicine Scholarships at MU

Couple also donated a motorcycle to be raffled as a fundraiser for scholarships

Story Contact(s):
Nathan Hurst, hurstn@missouri.edu, 573-882-6217

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gary Savill and Barbara Stampfli-Savill, residents of St. Louis, have made an estate commitment of $2.5 million to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. The gift will create an endowment to support scholarships for veterinary students and will encourage volunteer work among its recipients.

“We are thrilled to be able to give this gift to the College of Veterinary Medicine with the intent that it will support the development of future veterinarians for years to come,” Gary Savill said. “Barbara and I are animal lovers, and we hope this gift will help care for animals around the nation and the world by educating future classes of veterinarians. We also wish to enable students who otherwise would not be able to afford the education and training required to enter this noble profession. Another important aspect of this scholarship is volunteer work; we hope that students who receive this scholarship will be inspired to continue such charitable work throughout their careers.”

The Stampfli-Savill endowment will provide one or more scholarships to cover 50 percent of all tuition and fees each year to students who demonstrate financial need. Preference will be shown to students from underrepresented ethnic groups. Students awarded scholarships from the endowment will be required to perform at least 120 hours of animal-related community and volunteer service each year.

“Providing a top-tier education for our students at an affordable cost is a priority for this university,” MU Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin said. “The Stampfli-Savills’ generous gift will help us further that cause. By helping MU train future leaders in the field of veterinary medicine, they will assist generations of students in achieving their academic and career aspirations as we continue to serve the needs of Missourians.”

The Stampfli-Savills, who had no prior affiliation with MU or the College of Veterinary Medicine, were inspired to give their gift to the college after reading about the philanthropy of other donors.

“We are grateful to Barbara and Gary for their generosity to the college and appreciate their desire to help increase diversity within the veterinary profession,” said Neil Olson, dean of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. “Their additional aim of fostering community service is one we as a college also embrace.”

In addition to their $2.5 million gift, the Stampfli-Savills, who own and operate Silver Wraith Choppers, LLC in St. Louis, have donated a custom-built motorcycle to the College of Veterinary Medicine to be raffled as a part of the college’s annual Gentle Doctor Benefit (GDB). The GDB will be held on April 5 and serves as a fundraiser to support scholarships for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Raffle tickets for the motorcycle are currently on sale. For more information about the motorcycle and to purchase tickets, visit: http://gdb.missouri.edu/motorcycle-raffle/.

“The bike has a Harley-Davidson feel to its ride and look, but with the Springer front end. It harkens back to the classics of the ’70s era, with the real ‘Chopper’ look. Also, it has the seating and rear pegs for a passenger, but looks great as a solo bike.”

-Gary Savill (creator and donor)

The technical specifics of the chopper are as follows:

• 80-cubic-inch Evo Engine, sitting on a rigid frame
• Mikuni carburetor
• 5-speed Rev-Tech transmission
• 2-inch open primary
• Custom-built tank and rear fender
• Copper on black Springer front end
• Chrome 60-spoke wheels
• 240 rear tire
• Chain final drive
• Chrome-finish upper and lower controls
• King/queen seat, with tuck-away passenger pegs.