Three A-State Alumni Establish Scholarship for Future Veterinary Students
Pictured, left to right, Dr. Wayne Whitney, Dr. Harry Smith III and Dr. Steve Eubanks.
JONESBORO — Future Arkansas State University students entering the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) will have the opportunity to benefit from those who came before with the establishment of the Smith, Whitney, Eubanks Veterinary Scholarship.
Three A-State alumni have funded the $35,000 endowment for the CVM. The three veterinarians know how important it is to get a quality education and look forward to seeing what those who will attend the CVM can accomplish.
The three A-State graduates are featured in the latest Voices magazine, published by the Arkansas State University Alumni Association.
“We owe so much to Arkansas State,” said Dr. Harry Smith III. “This scholarship is a way to give back and support future students who share our passion for veterinary science.”
Smith, alongside Dr. Wayne Whitney and Dr. Steve Eubanks are all 1979 A-State graduates. The friendship among the trio began on campus through the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and played a key role in shaping their academic and professional careers.
“We challenged each other,” Eubanks said. “That kind of friendly competition pushed us to excel both academically and personally.”
Their shared dedication paid off when all three earned acceptance to Louisiana State University’s veterinary school in 1979, which was a significant accomplishment.
Together, they continued their academic journey at LSU, supporting one another through the rigors of veterinary school.
Smith went on to build a career mentoring veterinarians as owner and director of Banfield Pet Hospital in South Carolina before retiring. Whitney co-founded Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, gaining recognition as a leader in minimally invasive surgery. Eubanks returned to Arkansas, where he established multiple practices and currently owns Eubanks Animal Clinic in Jacksonville.
“The connections we made at A-State shaped our careers and our lives,” Eubanks said. “We want to ensure future students have similar opportunities.”
The scholarship fund is designed to support students with a passion for veterinary science and commitment to their communities. As the A-State College of Veterinary Medicine prepares to welcome its first students, Smith, Whitney, and Eubanks hope their gift inspires others to support the program.
“They’re building this program the right way,” Whitney said. “We’re proud to be part of its foundation and excited to see what future A-State veterinarians will achieve.”
The CVM is slated to open in the fall of 2026.
