Rain came, reminding us of summer’s tenuous hold on the Palouse. But, to me, the intense greens are worth the gray skies. We have those lively quail and red-winged blackbirds back (although, who really needs to sing at 4 a.m., honestly?) and my husband and I have discovered a pond dominated by yellow-headed blackbirds. Very cool.
I spent time with our 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s DVM alumni classes over two weekends earlier this month. I have to give a special shout-out to the class of 1973 — nearly half of their class of 60 students attended the reunion and they invited two of their professors, Drs. Jack Robinette (’54 DVM) and Gary Bryan (’60 DVM), to join them and share in the festivities. Reunion conversations highlighted kindness, compassion, and impact on the veterinary profession. Our alumni talked about the value of their education and how well-prepared they felt for the variety of paths they followed — from clinical practice to research to military service. Veterinarians bring a deep understanding of physiology and medicine to research and knowledge of the human-animal bond to clinical care. Veterinary education remains a truly comparative, holistic, medical education.
Our conversations drew me back to a quote by French microbiologist Louis Pasteur I often reflect on my own career and the formal education I have received: “Chance favors the prepared mind.” The promise of education is preparedness. In the process of education, we collect ideas, we find inspiration in a class or a teacher we meet along the way, our minds open up to possibility, and we dig deeper. And, if we are lucky, we find a mentor that reaffirms and gives voice to an idea that carries us into our careers. As we move forward, each new experience teaches us something and we become increasingly prepared for big ideas.
So, our alumni showed up, they have been brave practitioners and have thrived in our profession with good humor and spiritedness. Our alumni award recipients have recognized the strength and deep satisfaction you receive by giving back to the community, following your heart, and remembering why you are here in the first place. After sharing lunch, coffee, and conversations, I felt really proud to be a part of these reunions, a member of our profession, and the dean of this college. Go Cougs!
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Be safe, healthy, happy, and stay hopeful.