College News

About 100 veterinary students from across the country and around the world came to California from July 19-29 for the International Veterinary Student Association's 55th Summer Congress.

Western University of Health Sciences and the University of California-Davis worked together to bring the congress to California. Previously, the congress had never met in that state and had only met once in the United States.

"Nothing could make me happier than to see an auditorium full of young people from all corners of the globe working together and getting along," said Philip Pumerantz, founding president of Western University.

Students Karen Eiler and Terence Krentz co-chaired the organizing committee that created the program schedule, secured sleeping accommodations and transportation, and implemented initiatives to raise enough funds to host the event. The committee even built a Web site for students to enroll for the congress.

"Fifteen different countries from all over the world were all brought together by the work that we've done," Krentz said. "It was an amazing experience."

Participants traveled across California for lectures and meetings. They visited locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Davis, and San Francisco during the 10-day event. When the participants were not in seminars, they took excursions to several landmarks. One of the veterinarians at Sea World treated the students to a behind-the-scenes tour.