FROM THE DEAN
By Our Foundations By Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush We are committed to the four cornerstones of our college, each supporting the other: Exceptional Teaching, Impactful Research, Outstanding Service and Extraordinary Graduates. Neither succeeds without the rest. The multifaceted mission is the strength of the college. This issue of Wildcat Veterinarian encapsulates the successes and ongoing efforts in each of the pillars used to train the next generation of veterinarians and serve K-State’s Land Grant mission.
Exceptional teaching The applicant pool to the college continues to be strong with 1983 candidates to fill 120 seats in the class of 2028. This is the largest class of applicants in the recent history of the college, perhaps ever. We appreciate the alumni that provide their time and expertise to assist with 470 interviews during the selection process. The quality of students accepted into the college is second to none. Our four-year graduation rate is 95% and our six-year rate is 96.6%. The pass rate on the national board examinations remains far above the national average. The dedication of faculty to the educational mission is strong and scholarship of teaching is valued and supported. Dr. Shane Lyon has recently been named a Distinguished Expert in the founding class of Academy of Veterinary Educators. Dr. Pradeep Malreddy is a member of the Academy of Medical Educators and three faculty are members of the Council on Outcomes-based Veterinary Education — Drs. Jessica Meekins, Matt Basel and Lyon — responsible for developing implementation tools for Competency-Based Veterinary Education. Certificate programs were developed to provide thematic educational opportunities for students that strengthen career development and graduate marketability. Four certificates have been implemented: Food Animal Medicine (approved in 2020, 15 graduates, 98 enrolled), Shelter Medicine (approved in 2021, 12 graduates, 35 enrolled), Exotics/ Zoologic Medicine (approved in 2022, four graduates, 41 enrolled), Sustainability (approved fall 2023.) Future certificates programs in Surgical Skills, Business Management, and Equine Practice are under development. We have further accelerated these programs with the addition of a new 6 | wildcatveterinarian
position in our college, the director of advanced veterinary education. Meet Dr. Alexiou on Page 12. By far, our exceptional teaching does not stop there. The food animal industry is critical to the economic viability of the state, Our graduates now hit the ground running and are finding success in rural practice. Both faculty and industry partners have made it possible to offer a feedlot elective course for our fourth-year students. Read more about this opportunity on Page 18.
Impactful research K-State is ranked No. 6 in research productivity among US CVMs using a metric-based impact assessment by Research. com. Areas of research strength include (1) emerging, transboundary, zoonotic and parasitic diseases, (2) pre-harvest food safety, (3) beef production, (4) animal welfare and (5) comparative and translational medicine. A core biomedical research facility (5,000 square feet), supported by an NIH grant is in the final stages of construction. Continued research support will keep K-State in the top tier. Meet our new associate dean of research and graduate programs, who will help us do just that on Page 30. K-State has the third highest number of dual-degree DVM students among AAVMC institutions with an equal distribution across M.S., MPH, and Ph.D. degree programs. Twentyone students participated in the 2023 veterinary research summer scholars’ program, funded by college, corporate, federal First-year students Weston Ahles and Ally and private gifting. Student participation Hazy; fourth-year student Eliza Turnage and volunteer Olive Blevins examine a canine in poster sessions patient at the Santee Sioux reservation in South and presentations Dakota. Photo by Elizabeth Scarbrough.
