With firsthand knowledge from the frontlines of biomedical research, this year’s commencement speaker brought a unique perspective shaped by his distinguished career in veterinary pathology.
Duck was a four-month-old foster kitten when he presented to the MSU Veterinary Medical Center’s Cardiology Service for evaluation of a heart murmur. An echocardiogram confirmed a grade V left basilar continuous murmur, a loud murmur often associated with a patent ductus arteriosus.
Inspiration for a career in veterinary medicine often comes in furry packages! As the 2025 College of Veterinary Medicine Commencement Ceremony nears, the graduating Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students are reflecting on the animals that got them across the finish line.
Jonathan Teeple is DVM student at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. He has received multiple scholarships, and feels grateful for this support. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your financial support is incredibly generous, and is only surpassed by your willingness to help mentor and teach the next generation of Spartan veterinarians." Read more about Jonathan's interests and the impact of scholarships.
Marlo, a three-year-old Pit Bull, presented to Michigan State University’s Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Service as a referral for evaluation of a one-week history of stranguria/dysuria and recent diagnosis of urethral obstruction.
Wilson, a two-year-old neutered Pot-bellied pig, presented to Michigan State University’s Large Animal Clinic for a two-day history of respiratory distress after having his hooves trimmed.
Zoë Williams is a dual-enrolled DVM/PhD candidate at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Zoe was awarded the Tracy A. Hammer Memorial Fellowship. "I am truly grateful for this award and feel that I can closely relate to Tracy," says Zoë. "Tracy was also a dual DVM/PhD student—in fact, she was the first—at MSU, and she also loved horses." Read more about Zoë's interests and how this scholarship has impacted her education.