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Published on November 19, 2014
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

JAVMA News asked each student chapter of the AVMA and the associate organization in the Student AVMA House of Delegates (St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine) to submit an essay and picture exemplifying school spirit at the veterinary college. Twelve of them shared their esprit de corps (authors noted when identified).

Read the accompanying JAVMA article “Veterinarians stay true to their school”

University of Glasgow
Colorado State University CVM
PennVet
Tufts University
St. Matthew’s University
Louisiana State University SVM
NC State University CVM
Purdue University CVM
University of California-Davis SVM
University of Missouri CVM
Oklahoma State University CVM
Michigan State University CVM

University of Glasgow

Glasgow is, by nature, a friendly city—and nowhere is that more evident than among the staff and students of its veterinary school. There’s just this great vibe among the staff and students: Everyone wants everyone else to do well and is always willing to help you out with anything you might need, whether it’s academic or otherwise. It’s difficult to describe it exactly, but everyone bonded sort of seamlessly when we first arrived. It’s been over a year now, and it’s easy to see the camaraderie between everyone that began from day one. We were all in the same boat right from the beginning—we had that one shared interest in helping animals, and I think that’s what set everything in motion. Personally, I’ve had a blast this past year and can’t wait for everything that’s still to happen in years to come. Plus, it’s Glasgow—we’ve got deep-fried Mars bars as well.

Photo credit: By Calum MacLeod, Glasgow ‘18

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Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine

The sense of community found in our faculty, staff, and students at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine is what makes us so proud to be Rams. Innovative professors and students working together to benefit the entire veterinary community by, for example, developing the Virtual Canine Anatomy software and artificial tissues for suture practice. The size and diversity of caseload at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital means that there is an opportunity for veterinary students with a wide variety of interests to get hands-on experience. Our faculty consistently dedicate additional time to assist our learning in wet labs. On any given day, veterinary students can be found practicing anastomoses, assisting a local farmer with lambing, castrating camelids, or learning about acupuncture. Fort Collins has over 300 days of sun and ample outdoor and cultural activities, allowing our veterinary community to make connections outside the classroom as well.

Photo credit: Courtesy of CSU Photography

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PennVet: University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

For most students at PennVet, the love for our school began the day we had our interview. When speaking with PennVet students and faculty, we were immediately enveloped in the community that exists here, and that was comforting. In a profession where the competition is fierce, we have found a supportive network within these halls. Something I am continuously impressed by is how much my classmates want each other to succeed. We share resources, helpful mnemonics, and above all, experiences to reach the collective goal of one day becoming smart, successful veterinarians. We do this with the support of an outstanding team of clinicians and professors. I am humbled that these leaders in their field can put in the time to teach classes, answer countless questions, and do so with a smile and words of encouragement. The commitment and enthusiasm of the PennVet faculty have been nothing short of inspiring. We won’t pretend that everything is perfect 100 percent of the time, but every day, we strive for it with the support of hundreds of fantastic students, faculty, and alumni. These people are what make us take pride in our school and make us happy to call PennVet our home. Caption: In a moment of relief and elation, the PennVet Class of 2017 celebrates the end of first-year finals with a team picture and a champagne toast.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Meghana Pendurthi, Pennsylvania ‘17

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Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

The Tufts scenery is unmatched. The autumn foliage is breathtaking, and in the winters, as the campus freezes over in a glittering layer of snow, the stress of finals melts. And although the distinctive mascot Jumbo the elephant makes Tufts stand out, what truly makes it great is the close-knit community that thrives in conjunction with high academic standards. A smaller campus allows for more personal, meaningful connections. The Cummings Veterinary School, nestled in North Grafton, Massachusetts, an hour away from the main campus, provides a uniquely supportive environment that facilitates mentorship and contributes to the teamwork mentality of students and faculty. The veterinary school, with research opportunities and collaborations with aquaria, graduate programs, and critical-care facilities all over the state, is full of the ingenuity and inventiveness famous to New England but also emphasizes cohesiveness and camaraderie. As an institution, Tufts thinks outside the box. The veterinary school is no exception: It caters to diverse interests, accommodating careers in wildlife, research, public health, and more. Furthermore, Tufts welcomes the nontraditional student. As a student who matriculated directly out of college, I enjoy learning from my classmates who have had alternative careers, have families, or come from different parts of the country.

Photo credit: By Anya Price, Tufts ’16

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St. Matthew’s University

The experiences of veterinary school go far beyond what you take away from lectures. Although it may not be as well known, I would like to highlight my school, St. Matthew’s University. The small class sizes foster a sense of family as well as encourage an interactive learning environment both among the students and with the faculty. If I need to spend three hours reviewing a topic, I am able to do so because my professors go above and beyond to ensure my understanding of material. Also, SMU’s unique location (Grand Cayman, West Indies) and associations allow students experiences that are distinctive. I have done necropsy laboratories on sea turtles, learned from top veterinarians in the exotic world—MarVet program, Georgia Aquarium, and Bronx Zoo, just to name a few—and participated in conservation efforts for endangered species in addition to traditional hands-on experiences. I get to experience another culture and country while getting my degree faster. Being in veterinary school is amazing; being successful and exhilarated by it is even better. (By Cassandra Martinez McDow, St. Matthew’s ‘17, third semester) Caption: St. Matthew’s veterinary students and Dr. Samantha Shields participate during MarVet 2014 at the Cayman Turtle Farm. Students practice physical examinations and common procedures, just a few of the many skills learned during the two-week, intensive elective.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Cassandra Martinez McDow

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Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine

Attending Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine is truly a unique experience. Being from out of state, I knew almost no one coming to this school and was not sure how I would fit in with the class. However, I quickly realized how friendly everyone was and that there is always something to do in Louisiana. Soon after school starts, football season kicks off, and you find yourself immersed in purple and gold. On most Saturdays, you can enjoy the finest music and Cajun cuisine in America, take pictures with a live tiger, and perform the wave with 90,000 new friends you made in Death Valley (Tiger Stadium). If you aren’t the biggest fan of football, though, there are plenty of other events going on. You can go on a tour of the Atchafalaya Basin and see osprey learning how to catch their first breakfast, or take a trip to New Orleans for the weekend to explore Bourbon Street. Any direction you go, you can be assured that there will be good food and good fun waiting for you. That is what makes being a student at LSU SVM so special. (By William Ryan, Louisiana State ’17) Caption: The LSU SVM Class of 2016 after students finished their second year. The unofficial motto for second year veterinary students is “You can take our grades, social life, and sanity, but you can never take OUR FREEDOM!”

Photo credit: Courtesy of William Ryan

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North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine

North Carolina State Veterinary Medicine Wolfpack, Professors to push you forward, friends on which to fall back. Venture, learn, teach, inspire, explore, seek, Where opportunities and experience meet. From horses to fish to poultry to dogs to cattle to wolves to swine, We spend four years learning about each in its own time. Never again have a chance like you do at TAU to listen, try and do! Compassion, pride, and Southern hospitality, we’ve got, too. Faculty who know you by name, Who encourage you in every aspect of the game. Collaborative community, hardworking staff, ingenious minds, We truly have the best of all kinds. Proud to now be a member of the pack, But know I will learn the most when I look back. When I remember the encouraging words and helping hands, Of those in my class who have made me who I am. (By Lance King)

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Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine

Since the founding of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine (as the School of Veterinary Medicine) in the late 1950s, the veterinary college has aspired to deliver the best education and experience for all its students. The college is one of only two veterinary colleges in the U.S. that educate all members of the “veterinary team,” through programs leading to the professional DVM degree, Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in veterinary technology, master’s and PhD degrees, and residency programs leading to specialty board certification. This gives students the ability to work in an atmosphere that resembles what they will be seeing later in their careers. Purdue University also has done its best to keep its veterinary class size smaller, leading to a family atmosphere that allows for students to connect on a deeper level with their classmates as well as students in other years in the school. Overall, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has excelled in providing its students with the best educational experience possible, thus adequately preparing them to be outstanding members of the veterinary profession in their future careers.

Photo credit: By Katelyn Jackson, Purdue ’16

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University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

We bleed gold and blue as members of the Aggie Pack, (one of) the largest organized student spirit organizations in the country. We are led into battle by Gunrock, a mascot named after a 1920s university Thoroughbred who was a relative of the famed racehorse Man o’ War. During feats of athleticism, students and the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! can be heard chanting: Bossy Cow Cow | Honey Bee Bee | Oleo Margarine | Oleo Butterine | Alfalfa Hay!!! The University of California-Davis started as a satellite farm for the University of California-Berkeley’s College of Agriculture but has grown into a nationally recognized university committed to discovery and innovation. In its one-health model, UC-Davis brings together researchers, veterinarians, and physicians to improve the well-being of animals, people, and the environment. Multidisciplinary teams are focused on predicting pandemics to prevent outbreaks, providing preventive health care assistance to rural communities, protecting food systems from the farm to the table, creating groundbreaking cures for cancer, regrowing bones in dogs, and engineering heart valves that don’t require anti-rejection medications. Happy cows—and students—come from California because at UC-Davis, we are a community of leaders who are encouraged to transcend disciplines to solve complex problems that impact health and conservation. (By Katherine Watson, California-Davis ’16) Caption: Happy California cows have fun in the sun with members of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Food Animal Reproduction and Medicine club.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Katherine Watson

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University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine

Mizzou is an institution proud of our traditions and always looking for ways to bring them to new generations. As (we consider ourselves) originators of the homecoming celebration, we cherish our alumni and value any opportunity for interaction between current and former students. With our colorful mascot, Truman the tiger, we enthusiastically welcome students from all over the world to participate in our veterinary curriculum with its two years of didactic practice followed by two years of clinical training. Students are able to participate in innumerable activities both on campus and in surrounding Columbia, sharing our passion for veterinary medicine and our competitive spirit through community sports leagues, vaccination clinics with local organizations, and events with our renowned MU CVM Mule Team. Each of our on-campus groups participates each year in a large community service project targeted toward helping our community, as it is a great source of support for our students, and promoting “one health, one medicine” as part of the One Health Initiative. Our animated and driven students, faculty, and staff encourage you to stop by for a visit and experience all that MU and Columbia have to offer. MIZ! (By Jenelle Francis, Missouri ’17) Caption: Students gather at the University of Missouri’s historic columns in front of Jesse Hall to celebrate their graduation from MU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and continuation into veterinary medicine.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Jenelle Francis

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Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Oklahoma State University is a school built on camaraderie and Orange Pride. Students often comment about how at home they feel on campus and within the tight-knit and friendly Stillwater community. Our school fosters pride in one’s self, the experience of the diversity that the world and veterinary profession have to offer us, and reaching out and giving back to others. Students love the school spirit at OSU and how family-like the atmosphere feels on a daily basis. All of us are encouraged to pursue our goals and are helped and supported fully along the way by professors, staff, graduate students, and our fellow classmates. The fact all of us know we can come back at any time once we graduate and feel as welcome as the first day we stepped on campus is unique. The trust and support each student receives and feels at OSU helps each of us achieve the best we can be, and it assures us we can always reach out to others. We know we will forever have the camaraderie of being OSU Cowboys for life, and that feeling of pride is irreplaceable for all of us! Go, Pokes!

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Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine

The greatest reason for loyalty to Michigan State University is the presence of school spirit! Spartans bleed green through and through. We have fantastic sports teams and educational programs to keep us motivated and connected. Everyone knows how to respond to the words ‘Go, Green.’ If you’re confused, ask an MSU student or alumnus. We also appreciate how MSU starting as a land-grant university ties us strongly to an aspect of veterinary medicine that may not be present elsewhere. MSU’s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health is a great resource for our students to learn about pathology, public health issues, and modern diagnostic testing that will be difficult to find elsewhere. Without the College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU, we would not be here or be as loyal to the university. It is the CVM that allows us to pursue a profession that we love, and, in turn, makes us a Spartan that bleeds green. Caption: Children and their grandparents visit the cows at the MSU Dairy Farm as part of an open house event.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Michigan State University

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University of Glasgow

Glasgow is, by nature, a friendly city—and nowhere is that more evident than among the staff and students of its veterinary school. There’s just this great vibe among the staff and students: Everyone wants everyone else to do well and is always willing to help you out with anything you might need, whether it’s academic or otherwise. It’s difficult to describe it exactly, but everyone bonded sort of seamlessly when we first arrived. It’s been over a year now, and it’s easy to see the camaraderie between everyone that began from day one. We were all in the same boat right from the beginning—we had that one shared interest in helping animals, and I think that’s what set everything in motion. Personally, I’ve had a blast this past year and can’t wait for everything that’s still to happen in years to come. Plus, it’s Glasgow—we’ve got deep-fried Mars bars as well.

Photo credit: By Calum MacLeod, Glasgow ‘18

Slide 1 of 12

Colorado State University CVM

The sense of community found in our faculty, staff, and students at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine is what makes us so proud to be Rams. Innovative professors and students working together to benefit the entire veterinary community by, for example, developing the Virtual Canine Anatomy software and artificial tissues for suture practice. The size and diversity of caseload at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital means that there is an opportunity for veterinary students with a wide variety of interests to get hands-on experience. Our faculty consistently dedicate additional time to assist our learning in wet labs. On any given day, veterinary students can be found practicing anastomoses, assisting a local farmer with lambing, castrating camelids, or learning about acupuncture. Fort Collins has over 300 days of sun and ample outdoor and cultural activities, allowing our veterinary community to make connections outside the classroom as well.

Photo credit: Courtesy of CSU Photography

Slide 2 of 12

PennVet

For most students at PennVet, the love for our school began the day we had our interview. When speaking with PennVet students and faculty, we were immediately enveloped in the community that exists here, and that was comforting. In a profession where the competition is fierce, we have found a supportive network within these halls. Something I am continuously impressed by is how much my classmates want each other to succeed. We share resources, helpful mnemonics, and above all, experiences to reach the collective goal of one day becoming smart, successful veterinarians. We do this with the support of an outstanding team of clinicians and professors. I am humbled that these leaders in their field can put in the time to teach classes, answer countless questions, and do so with a smile and words of encouragement. The commitment and enthusiasm of the PennVet faculty have been nothing short of inspiring. We won’t pretend that everything is perfect 100 percent of the time, but every day, we strive for it with the support of hundreds of fantastic students, faculty, and alumni. These people are what make us take pride in our school and make us happy to call PennVet our home. Caption: In a moment of relief and elation, the PennVet Class of 2017 celebrates the end of first-year finals with a team picture and a champagne toast.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Meghana Pendurthi, Pennsylvania ‘17

Slide 3 of 12

Tufts University

The Tufts scenery is unmatched. The autumn foliage is breathtaking, and in the winters, as the campus freezes over in a glittering layer of snow, the stress of finals melts. And although the distinctive mascot Jumbo the elephant makes Tufts stand out, what truly makes it great is the close-knit community that thrives in conjunction with high academic standards. A smaller campus allows for more personal, meaningful connections. The Cummings Veterinary School, nestled in North Grafton, Massachusetts, an hour away from the main campus, provides a uniquely supportive environment that facilitates mentorship and contributes to the teamwork mentality of students and faculty. The veterinary school, with research opportunities and collaborations with aquaria, graduate programs, and critical-care facilities all over the state, is full of the ingenuity and inventiveness famous to New England but also emphasizes cohesiveness and camaraderie. As an institution, Tufts thinks outside the box. The veterinary school is no exception: It caters to diverse interests, accommodating careers in wildlife, research, public health, and more. Furthermore, Tufts welcomes the nontraditional student. As a student who matriculated directly out of college, I enjoy learning from my classmates who have had alternative careers, have families, or come from different parts of the country.

Photo credit: By Anya Price, Tufts ’16

Slide 4 of 12

St. Matthew’s University

The experiences of veterinary school go far beyond what you take away from lectures. Although it may not be as well known, I would like to highlight my school, St. Matthew’s University. The small class sizes foster a sense of family as well as encourage an interactive learning environment both among the students and with the faculty. If I need to spend three hours reviewing a topic, I am able to do so because my professors go above and beyond to ensure my understanding of material. Also, SMU’s unique location (Grand Cayman, West Indies) and associations allow students experiences that are distinctive. I have done necropsy laboratories on sea turtles, learned from top veterinarians in the exotic world—MarVet program, Georgia Aquarium, and Bronx Zoo, just to name a few—and participated in conservation efforts for endangered species in addition to traditional hands-on experiences. I get to experience another culture and country while getting my degree faster. Being in veterinary school is amazing; being successful and exhilarated by it is even better. (By Cassandra Martinez McDow, St. Matthew’s ‘17, third semester) Caption: St. Matthew’s veterinary students and Dr. Samantha Shields participate during MarVet 2014 at the Cayman Turtle Farm. Students practice physical examinations and common procedures, just a few of the many skills learned during the two-week, intensive elective.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Cassandra Martinez McDow

Slide 5 of 12

Louisiana State University SVM

Attending Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine is truly a unique experience. Being from out of state, I knew almost no one coming to this school and was not sure how I would fit in with the class. However, I quickly realized how friendly everyone was and that there is always something to do in Louisiana. Soon after school starts, football season kicks off, and you find yourself immersed in purple and gold. On most Saturdays, you can enjoy the finest music and Cajun cuisine in America, take pictures with a live tiger, and perform the wave with 90,000 new friends you made in Death Valley (Tiger Stadium). If you aren’t the biggest fan of football, though, there are plenty of other events going on. You can go on a tour of the Atchafalaya Basin and see osprey learning how to catch their first breakfast, or take a trip to New Orleans for the weekend to explore Bourbon Street. Any direction you go, you can be assured that there will be good food and good fun waiting for you. That is what makes being a student at LSU SVM so special. (By William Ryan, Louisiana State ’17) Caption: The LSU SVM Class of 2016 after students finished their second year. The unofficial motto for second year veterinary students is “You can take our grades, social life, and sanity, but you can never take OUR FREEDOM!”

Photo credit: Courtesy of William Ryan

Slide 6 of 12

NC State University CVM

North Carolina State Veterinary Medicine Wolfpack, Professors to push you forward, friends on which to fall back. Venture, learn, teach, inspire, explore, seek, Where opportunities and experience meet. From horses to fish to poultry to dogs to cattle to wolves to swine, We spend four years learning about each in its own time. Never again have a chance like you do at TAU to listen, try and do! Compassion, pride, and Southern hospitality, we’ve got, too. Faculty who know you by name, Who encourage you in every aspect of the game. Collaborative community, hardworking staff, ingenious minds, We truly have the best of all kinds. Proud to now be a member of the pack, But know I will learn the most when I look back. When I remember the encouraging words and helping hands, Of those in my class who have made me who I am. (By Lance King)

Slide 7 of 12

Purdue University CVM

Since the founding of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine (as the School of Veterinary Medicine) in the late 1950s, the veterinary college has aspired to deliver the best education and experience for all its students. The college is one of only two veterinary colleges in the U.S. that educate all members of the “veterinary team,” through programs leading to the professional DVM degree, Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in veterinary technology, master’s and PhD degrees, and residency programs leading to specialty board certification. This gives students the ability to work in an atmosphere that resembles what they will be seeing later in their careers. Purdue University also has done its best to keep its veterinary class size smaller, leading to a family atmosphere that allows for students to connect on a deeper level with their classmates as well as students in other years in the school. Overall, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has excelled in providing its students with the best educational experience possible, thus adequately preparing them to be outstanding members of the veterinary profession in their future careers.

Photo credit: By Katelyn Jackson, Purdue ’16

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University of California-Davis SVM

We bleed gold and blue as members of the Aggie Pack, (one of) the largest organized student spirit organizations in the country. We are led into battle by Gunrock, a mascot named after a 1920s university Thoroughbred who was a relative of the famed racehorse Man o’ War. During feats of athleticism, students and the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! can be heard chanting: Bossy Cow Cow | Honey Bee Bee | Oleo Margarine | Oleo Butterine | Alfalfa Hay!!! The University of California-Davis started as a satellite farm for the University of California-Berkeley’s College of Agriculture but has grown into a nationally recognized university committed to discovery and innovation. In its one-health model, UC-Davis brings together researchers, veterinarians, and physicians to improve the well-being of animals, people, and the environment. Multidisciplinary teams are focused on predicting pandemics to prevent outbreaks, providing preventive health care assistance to rural communities, protecting food systems from the farm to the table, creating groundbreaking cures for cancer, regrowing bones in dogs, and engineering heart valves that don’t require anti-rejection medications. Happy cows—and students—come from California because at UC-Davis, we are a community of leaders who are encouraged to transcend disciplines to solve complex problems that impact health and conservation. (By Katherine Watson, California-Davis ’16) Caption: Happy California cows have fun in the sun with members of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Food Animal Reproduction and Medicine club.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Katherine Watson

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University of Missouri CVM

Mizzou is an institution proud of our traditions and always looking for ways to bring them to new generations. As (we consider ourselves) originators of the homecoming celebration, we cherish our alumni and value any opportunity for interaction between current and former students. With our colorful mascot, Truman the tiger, we enthusiastically welcome students from all over the world to participate in our veterinary curriculum with its two years of didactic practice followed by two years of clinical training. Students are able to participate in innumerable activities both on campus and in surrounding Columbia, sharing our passion for veterinary medicine and our competitive spirit through community sports leagues, vaccination clinics with local organizations, and events with our renowned MU CVM Mule Team. Each of our on-campus groups participates each year in a large community service project targeted toward helping our community, as it is a great source of support for our students, and promoting “one health, one medicine” as part of the One Health Initiative. Our animated and driven students, faculty, and staff encourage you to stop by for a visit and experience all that MU and Columbia have to offer. MIZ! (By Jenelle Francis, Missouri ’17) Caption: Students gather at the University of Missouri’s historic columns in front of Jesse Hall to celebrate their graduation from MU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and continuation into veterinary medicine.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Jenelle Francis

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Oklahoma State University CVM

Oklahoma State University is a school built on camaraderie and Orange Pride. Students often comment about how at home they feel on campus and within the tight-knit and friendly Stillwater community. Our school fosters pride in one’s self, the experience of the diversity that the world and veterinary profession have to offer us, and reaching out and giving back to others. Students love the school spirit at OSU and how family-like the atmosphere feels on a daily basis. All of us are encouraged to pursue our goals and are helped and supported fully along the way by professors, staff, graduate students, and our fellow classmates. The fact all of us know we can come back at any time once we graduate and feel as welcome as the first day we stepped on campus is unique. The trust and support each student receives and feels at OSU helps each of us achieve the best we can be, and it assures us we can always reach out to others. We know we will forever have the camaraderie of being OSU Cowboys for life, and that feeling of pride is irreplaceable for all of us! Go, Pokes!

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Michigan State University CVM

The greatest reason for loyalty to Michigan State University is the presence of school spirit! Spartans bleed green through and through. We have fantastic sports teams and educational programs to keep us motivated and connected. Everyone knows how to respond to the words ‘Go, Green.’ If you’re confused, ask an MSU student or alumnus. We also appreciate how MSU starting as a land-grant university ties us strongly to an aspect of veterinary medicine that may not be present elsewhere. MSU’s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health is a great resource for our students to learn about pathology, public health issues, and modern diagnostic testing that will be difficult to find elsewhere. Without the College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU, we would not be here or be as loyal to the university. It is the CVM that allows us to pursue a profession that we love, and, in turn, makes us a Spartan that bleeds green. Caption: Children and their grandparents visit the cows at the MSU Dairy Farm as part of an open house event.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Michigan State University

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