Members of OSU CVM platform party enjoying the commencement ceremony. Left to Right: Dr. Sue Tornquist, Dr. Cyril Clarke, Dr. Ed Ray, Honorable Doug Whitsett
Outside, the sun shone as the members of the 28th class to graduate from the College of Veterinary Medicine had their formal picture taken before they were led into the auditorium by faculty marshals Drs. Jorge Vanegas and Aurora Villarroel, both rural veterinary practitioners.
At the podium, Dean Cyril Clarke introduced the Platform Party and each speaker. Commencement speakers struck a light note at times while at the same time impressing the graduates with the depth of their commitment to the care and compassionate treatment of animals and their owners.
Other dignitaries making comments included The Honorable Douglas Whitsett of the Oregon Senate and Dr. Dalton Miller-Jones of Higher Education. Dr. Ruth McDevitt was selected by her classmates to be the class speaker — and she delivered to their delight. The graduates chose pathology assistant professor Dr. Elena Gorman as faculty speaker and small animal surgeon Dr. Bernard Séguin to give the graduation address. With humor and wit, both really connected with the graduates.
Dr. Sue Tornquist, associate dean for student and academic affairs, presented each member of the Class of 2010 and let the audience know individual future plans. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree was conferred by OSU President Ed Ray. As each graduate took the stage, he or she was “hooded” with regalia by Dr. John Schlipf and Dr. Jennifer Warnock, the official hooders. Dr. Keith Sides led the graduating class in the Veterinarian’s Oath.
The new doctors of veterinary medicine led the procession out of the auditorium and were met with congratulations at the reception following. As the crowd dispersed with well wishes, the sun was still shining.
Class of 2010
Meghan Brooks . Jennifer Mills Buchanan . Diana Vivian Capozzi
Matthew Jamison Hitoshi Carnett . Rachel Marie Chinn
Stacy Diane Cooley . Andrea DesBiens . Kelly Louise Dickinson
Brian Scott Dugovich . Yuko Eguchi-Coe . Alis Renée Fogarty
Heidi Franck . Rachel Renée Frank . Anna Marie Fumasi
Jeni Marie Gallagher . Matthew H. Goetz . Kari Danielle Gorman
Allyson Ann Gosling . Christine M. Gustin . Kathleen Erin Hanifen
Casey E. Jacobs . Tess Jarmain . Megan Elizabeth Jurasek
Julie Marie Kelly . Sarah Anne Knepprath . Thomas P. Mackowiak
Laura Suski Magruder . Ruth Irene McDevitt . Allison Christine Miller
Victoria Miller . Linnia Marie Munro . Megan Sumie Nakagawa
Jeffrey Dale Nickel . Taylor Phelps . Catherine Linnea Pierce
Erika Rachael Raines . Chyrle Renee Roberts . Danielle L. Schaefer
Robin Nichole Sechrest . Tiah Marie Sigler . Rachel C. Tennant
David Itzhak Tentser . Kimberly Ann Villines . Carla Lerum Webb
Dean Clarke announced at the May Faculty Meeting that four faculty members have been promoted after a rigorous review process. He congratulated them and noted that their accomplishments are significant and they play valuable and important roles in advancing the missions of the College. The faculty members promoted are in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
The objective of the program is to provide an opportunity for students enrolled in the professional veterinary program (designated as Merial Veterinary Scholars) to have a faculty-guided, positive, and rewarding research experience in the basic or clinical sciences. In addition, the program provides an introduction to research issues, facilities, opportunities, and current research topics. The format is a research experience that occurs primarily in the summer, but literature search, proposal writing, and project planning all occur prior to the summer. The goal of the program is to increase the number of graduating veterinarians who choose a career in research that focuses on animal health and disease. The program is considered successful if it increases student awareness of the excitement and challenges of the research process, and of course, if it increases the number of DVMs who choose a research-related career. Dr. Christiane Löhr is faculty advisor for the program. More information about the Merial Veterinary Scholar Program can be found on our 