This note is inspired by my gratitude, this past week, to all that is the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU. I was feeling pretty low early last week—nothing in particular, busyness, budget grumpiness, miscommunications. And then things shifted and I looked around me and experienced the spiritedness and deep capacity of our team. And I felt lifted. And that is the magic of community.
So, in no particular order, some things for which I am grateful. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program admissions team that enjoys getting to know our applicants, sifting deeply through stories and individual meetings to make sure we see and consider the full spectrum of those who want to join our program. A leader who is developing “an invisible safety net” for our students to catch people before they fall too far. Students who hosted the Rabies Free Africa run and dressed up like zombies to raise money for this incredible flagship program. Other students who took time out of their day to pose with “the Dean” for a holiday card overlooking the Palouse. Undergraduate faculty and advisers who work one-on-one with our undergraduate students to enhance retention and degree completion (and they do this very, very well). An advancement team (development, communications and strategic planning) that imagines and puts forward great ideas and taglines and creative, photo-filled, branded marketing materials. A faculty committee that has developed a one-pager of perks and incentives that we can offer our faculty and staff to deepen community (rounds of golf, shared basketball tickets, coffee gift cards). Alumni who travel to spend a week with our students during Diagnostic Challenges—another flagship program that students, faculty, and staff all love. Our campaign committee—small but mighty—who give of their time, ideas, and resources to grow our programs and help us thrive. I think 26 people attended the Dean’s area luncheon last week, and I was reminded of all they do for the college while still loving growing kids, caring for elder parents, racing hundreds of miles (true), making fresh apple cider, and even barrel racing.
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I am grateful. Thank you for lifting my spirits. Happy Thanksgiving.
Dori Borjesson