Why VMD Alumni Involvement Matters – A Case for Participation
We at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine are grateful for the many alumni volunteers who participate in our programs. Volunteers are a vital component of our efforts, and their engagement allows us to expand our outreach to students, fellow alumni, residents, and interns.
Veterinary students want alumni to remain involved in school affairs. They desire a tradition and history that extends beyond four years of veterinary school. Students look forward to having alumni return for annual events to share their experiences. You may be busy, have moved away, or have started a family or a business, but there is always some way to get involved – regardless of your interests, location, or time constraints.
VMDs are part of a special community. No matter when you graduated. No matter where you are in the country or the world. Visit the alumni pages at www.vet.upenn.edu and click on “Get Involved” to find something that interests you. We look forward to your involvement with the alumni community.
Penn Veterinary Letter Project
In years past, college students didn't have the luxury of shooting a quick text to mom and dad with an update about life at veterinary school. Instead, they relied heavily on letters. We would like to uncover some of these letters so that future generations will know about those who have gone before them.
Do you have any personal correspondence from your days in veterinary school tucked away in boxes or attics? The alumni office would like to use them to tell a history of the institution. Please send originals or copies to: Alumni Relations Office, Penn Veterinary School of Medicine, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Speakers Bureau a Hit
The Dean’s Alumni Council has worked to create a Speakers Bureau that will provide opportunities for alumni to participate in speaking engagements locally and nationally with schools, civic organizations, and veterinary groups. The Bureau kicked off with a visit to Gladwyne Elementary School just outside of Philadelphia, where two Penn veterinarians and three veterinary students spoke to 125 second graders.
Members of the Speakers Bureau constructed a template for elementary school talks based on the theme “Oh the Places You’ll Go When You’re a Veterinarian.” Students Stacy Bartholomew, Sam Gilbert, and Stephen Cole kicked off the Gladwyne Elementary School visit by talking about the hard work it takes to get into veterinary school. They then discussed their four years as students. Large-animal veterinarian Dr. Nate Harvey followed and was a huge hit when he showed a video of a cow using an automated back scratcher. He also talked about hardware disease and showed some of the many things he has surgically removed from the stomachs of cows. Dr. Harvey was followed by Dr. Susan Emeigh Hart, a pathologist, who explained how she helps veterinarians by looking at animals at the microscopic level. The program concluded with a thought-provoking question-and-answer session.
One week later, 125 handmade thank you cards arrived. Little Sasha wanted to know if the veterinarians had ever taken care of a moose. Tyler asked, “Can you come back soon? I had a great time.”
Join the Speakers Bureau today by visiting the alumni pages at www.vet.upenn.edu. Click on “Get Involved” to learn more.