You Never Forget Your First
I joined Penn Vet’s Development office in April of 2002, coinciding with the drop of Bellwether 52. During a slow afternoon, I picked up the magazine and set out to learn about this institution I had joined.
Josephine Deubler, V’38, the School’s first female graduate, appeared on the cover. The feature story presented a number of accomplished alumnae sharing memories of attending Penn Vet. The magazine also reported on topics such as using GPS/GIS technology to control poultry disease outbreaks and developing gene therapy for equine arthritis.
Helma Weeks, Bellwether’s longtime editor, soon put me to work on the magazine’s “Special Gifts to the School” section, formatting the many tribute gifts the School receives. New opportunities and responsibilities came with a succession of editors over the years, from providing photography, to writing captions and short articles, to becoming production manager. And now, with this special 100th issue, I am proud to be the guest editor.
A friend pointed out I’ve been here for almost half the Bellwethers produced. Well, I’ve read every issue preparing for this one. What have I learned from this endeavor? The details may change but the topics remain the same. From the first issue to issue 52 to issue 100, certain themes kept emerging — agriculture, infectious disease, cancer care and research, animal welfare — subjects that continue to define Penn Vet to this day and will tomorrow.
For 100 issues, Bellwether has chronicled the groundbreaking research, exceptional clinical care, and professional accomplishments of the Penn Vet community.
Here’s to another hundred!
John Donges, Guest Editor
jdonges@vet.upenn.edu