HALLMARKS OF SUCCESS: HARD WORK, COMMITMENT, COLLABORATION AND DEDICATION

Dr. Steven Leath, recently installed as Auburn University’s 19th President, served as the College of Veterinary Medicine’s commencement speaker on May 8, 2018. President Leath motivated the Class of 2018 by endorsing their readiness to succeed in the veterinary profession. Their success, he said, will be reinforced by the caliber at which they work and their commitment to excellence. Dr. Leath observed that no other profession integrates the factors of disease, economics, management, and biomedical science into such close approximation, and further noted that history would indicate that Auburn has prepared them well for such a complex profession.

Auburn men and women will be asked to solve complex problems that require thoughtful solutions. The 20th century author and cultural critic H.L. Mencken observed, “For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.” Professionals who are well prepared to solve the complex challenges in veterinary medicine today must be able to integrate multiple disciplines and perspectives. Partnerships are crucial for the creation of transformative ideas, innovative approaches, and viable solutions. Moreover, the keys to strong partnerships are found in the Auburn Creed, which guides the ethos of our college: determined work ethic, strong knowledge and skills, honesty, truthfulness, and mutual helpfulness, to name a few.

Under President Leath’s leadership, Auburn is committed to growing as a partnership university and to empower students and faculty to develop transformative ideas that improve lives. This issue of the Auburn Veterinarian is filled with examples of such partnerships:

1. The spectacular career of Dr. Ray Dillon, who trained thousands of veterinarians over the course of his 45-year career as an internal medicine specialist, educator, and researcher at Auburn. He earned the trust of referring veterinarians and corporate research sponsors, and served as a transformative mentor for veterinary students, interns, residents, and fellow faculty.
2. The ongoing generosity of John and Rosemary Brown, who, for the 20th consecutive year provided five veterinary student scholarships, in addition to their ongoing support of students in the College of Engineering and the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Their loyal contributions to an Auburn education reflect their trust that the veterinary medical program continues to reflect the elite educational standards espoused by their dear friends, Dr. Wilford and Kate Bailey, for whom their scholarships are named.
3. The stature of Auburn’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital as a national leader in serving referring veterinarians through exceptional quality of medical care, value for fees paid by clients, and perception of a client’s overall experience. Veterinarians in our referral base trust the Teaching Hospital to incorporate them into the veterinary healthcare team and provide valuable services to their clients and patients, while providing an optimal clinical education for Auburn students.

I encourage you to engage the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine as we inspire students, create innovative solutions to complex challenges, and transform the landscape of veterinary medicine with a spirit that is not afraid to lead positive change.

Dean Calvin Johnson '86