Thursday, August 19, 2021
Media contact: Derinda Blakeney | University of Veterinary Medicine | 405-744-6740 | derinda@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine officially welcomed 106 veterinary students of the 2025 grade at an induction ceremony held on Aug. 13 at the McKnight Center on the OSU Stillwater campus.
Two of these students share their thoughts on the upcoming journey to study veterinary medicine.
Alexandra Bingham, of Mesquite, Texas, is a first-generation student, and Will Shelby, of Madill, Oklahoma, is the son of OSU CVM alumnus Dr. Michael Shelby.
“I’ve always wanted to be a vet and I’ve never had a plan B,” said Bingham. “As a child, the animals influenced this decision. As I got older and worked under great doctors in my hometown, I saw the difference they were making in people’s lives and in the world in general. As I am going through my own health challenges with lymphoma and kidney disease, I just love medicine and that’s what got me going. Seeing human doctors work really hard to make sure I’m healthy and living my best life, but I still have the biggest heart for animals, so why not mix the two together? It’s just the best career for me. ”
“When I was growing up, I was active in 4-H and FFA. I’ve shown lots of animals and developed a passion for taking care of them, ”said Shelby. “My father is also a veterinarian for large animals. I saw the difference he made not only for the livestock industry but also for our state and our community. When you put these two things together, it seemed like a pretty straightforward decision that I wanted to become a vet.
“I studied at OSU,” continued Shelby. “I think there are a lot of places you can get any kind of degree and that’s great. But for me, not only in the Bachelor, but especially in the veterinary school, it seems like something more than just getting a degree. It almost seems like a family feeling. There is a brand that I can drive and grow for that has always meant a lot to me. I’ve seen the history of this school and that was one of my goals from a young age. At the start of this trip, if I didn’t say I’m a little scared, I would be lying, but I’m definitely excited. I am ready to start getting to know my classmates and really grow and learn with them over the next few years. ”
“I decided to come to OK State for my DVM because it’s still close to home,” added Bingham. “I am a family girl, but there is still an opportunity for a new adventure, new experience and I am really looking forward to it. You have worked so hard towards a goal all your life and when it is finally within your reach you don’t know what to do with it. You are like a child at Christmas; It is like a dream. I would like to say greetings to my husband and family who really helped make this dream come true and to the great doctors I have worked for at home. I hope I make everyone proud. ”
Students spent 2 ½ days completing their orientation process, which was sponsored in part by Nestlé Purina. Activities included team building exercises, Examsoft demonstrations and presentations on available wellness resources, financial support and more.
“We look forward to welcoming the class in person,” said Dr. Carlos Risco, Dean of the University of Veterinary Medicine. “These students will be trained along with second and third year veterinary students in our recently inaugurated Roger J. Panciera Education Center, a state-of-the-art classroom equipped with the latest technology and equipment to provide a great learning environment for our undergraduate and faculty faculty. ”
Graduates of the OSU Veterinary Medicine are well prepared for the diverse career opportunities that a veterinary degree offers, be it in private practice, the pharmaceutical industry, military service, science or comparative biomedical research.
The class 2025 consists of 13 males and 93 females. 58 are residents of Oklahoma and 48 represent the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia.
