On May 5, 106 veterinary medical students and 32 veterinary technology students graduated from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Family and friends gathered at the Wharton Center to celebrate the accomplishments and continued success of the students during two commencement ceremonies.

“It is a fantastic day for the College and its new graduates,” said Dr. Julie Funk, associate dean for Academic Programs and Student Success. “Congratulations to the veterinary medical and veterinary technology Class of 2017. We are so proud of our graduates and wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

During the DVM commencement ceremony, Dr. Willie Reed was presented the honorary veterinary alumnus award. This award is presented each year to a non-alumnus of the College who has been both distinctive and distinguished in teaching, research, and service. Reed is currently the dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to his tenure at Purdue, Reed was the director of the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health at Michigan State University as well as the chair of the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. The College also awarded alumni Dr. Deanna Thornell (DVM ’81) and Dr. John Weigelt (DVM ’70) the 2017 CVM Distinguished Alumni Awards. The award is presented to College alumni who have excelled in practice, teaching, research at the local, regional, national, or international levels, and/or organized veterinary medicine. “Celebrating our alumni is an important milestone for the College each year,” said Dr. John Baker, dean for the College. “It gives us the opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and motivates us toward bigger and better things.”

Thornell, a 1981 DVM graduate, is this year’s CVM Distinguished Veterinary Alumna—Practitioner award winner. Thornell is the featured veterinarian on the hit Animal Planet show, “Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet.” She is a practicing veterinarian in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she has built one of the most advanced veterinary clinics in the state.
Weigelt, a 1970 DVM graduate and 1974 MD graduate from the Medical College of Wisconsin, is this year’s CVM Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus—Non-Practitioner award winner. Weigelt has had an accomplished career as a surgeon and educator. He presented a lecture on Friday, May 5, 2017 about his distinguished career as an accomplished surgeon and the roles that surgeons play in the safety of US presidents.