Athens, Ga. – Seventeen veterinary students have been chosen from the 204 students that comprise the second- and third-year classes to become the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine’s first CVM Student Ambassadors.
The ambassadors will serve as representatives of the college’s student body and will assist with recruitment outreach. They often may be the first point-of-contact for prospective veterinary students. The ambassadors also will assist with college-related activities to enhance the public image of the college, its students and its programs. The ambassadors were chosen for their strong leadership qualities, interpersonal skills, and sense of school spirit and pride.
“These students come from all backgrounds and from multiple states, thereby representing the diverse nature of our student body,” said Dr. K. Paige Carmichael, the college’s associate dean for academic affairs. “This is an opportunity for them to represent our college as well as to grow and develop beyond their educational experiences.”
The ambassadors must attend training sessions on public speaking, the college’s strategic plan and etiquette. They are expected to maintain daily contact with CVM academic affairs staff and to be knowledgeable about the college.
CVM student ambassadors are available to speak on topics related to student recruitment, veterinary medicine and veterinary-related issues.
For more information about the program, see http://www.vet.uga.edu/academic/ambassadors or contact Lakecia Pettway at lpettway@uga.edu or 706/542-8411.
The first CVM Student Ambassadors are: Michaelle Purdee (D.V.M. 2012); Jennifer Bonovich (D.V.M. 2012); Cheryl Stiehl (D.V.M. 2013); Gabrielle Clodomir (D.V.M. 2013); Natalie Duncan (D.V.M. 2013); Shaylin Duncan (D.V.M. 2013); Kasey Stopp (D.V.M. 2013); Carly Turner (D.V.M. 2013); Jake Tripp (D.V.M. 2013); Robert Gooden (D.V.M. 2013); Elizabeth Dale (D.V.M. 2013); Alec Davern (D.V.M. 2013); Claudia Reyner (D.V.M. 2013); Stephanie Pullin (D.V.M. 2013); Jamie Barnabei (D.V.M. 2013); Jennifer Trzcinski (D.V.M. 2013) and Jessica Brown (D.V.M. 2013).
The UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, to conducting research related to animal and human diseases, and to providing veterinary services for animals and their owners. Research efforts are aimed at enhancing the quality of life for animals and people, improving the productivity of poultry and livestock, and preserving a healthy interface between wildlife and people in the environment they share. The college enrolls 102 students each fall out of more than 560 who apply. For more information, see www.vet.uga.edu.
The current UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, built in 1979, serves more than 18,000 patients per year in one of the smallest teaching hospitals in the United States. The college is currently working to raise $15 million toward building a new Veterinary Medical Learning Center, which will include a new teaching hospital as well as classrooms and laboratories that will allow for the education of more veterinarians. The goal is to increase enrollment to 150 when the Veterinary Medical Learning Center is built. For more information, see http://www.vet.uga.edu/giving/campaign.php