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Seniors gather scholarships and veterinary certificates at annual banquet

The 2026 banquet was held May 12 at the Manhattan Conference Center. A total of $158,970 in scholarships were presented to the senior students. Several groups of students were recognized for completing concurrent certificate programs that provide an opportunity for students to focus on core or elective courses and co-curricular experiences in specific professional areas. These veterinary certificates identify their additional training focus to potential employers or graduate supervisors.

Dr. Kenneth Harkin receives distinguished teaching award from AAVC

Dr. Kenneth Harkin was presented with a special Faculty Achievement in Teaching Award during the annual honors banquet. The American Association of Veterinary Clinicians Award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to academic veterinary medicine through excellence in teaching, leadership in clinical or institutional practice, and meaningful service to organized veterinary medicine. This award honors individuals whose impact extends beyond the classroom and clinic through mentorship, innovation and professional service.

SAVMA presents Dr. Lisa Pohlman award for promoting student well-being

The Student American Veterinary Medical Association Student Wellbeing Award recognizes a faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond to support and promote student wellbeing within the college community. This award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional care, compassion, and advocacy for students by fostering an environment that supports mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Dr. Lisa Pohlman, professor of clinical pathology, was chosen as the recipient of this year's award.

Zoetis teaching award goes to Dr. Scott Fritz

At each of the veterinary colleges throughout the United States each year since 1963, the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teaching Award has been presented to an outstanding teacher who advances the veterinary profession by inspiring students to their highest levels of achievement and professionalism. The 2026 Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teaching Award was presented to Dr. Scott Fritz, clinical assistant professor of toxicology.

CVM presents Pritchard Outreach Award to Dr. Brad White

The Dr. William and Deanna Pritchard Veterinary Service and Outreach Award was established in 2012 to emphasize service and outreach in the veterinary profession. Dr. Pritchard, a 1946 K-State DVM alumnus, is a professor and dean emeritus of the CVM at the University of California at Davis. The primary aim of the award is to recognize an individual who has demonstrated considerable efforts in the areas of service and outreach. Dr. Brad White, professor of production medicine, was selected for this year's award.

K-State presents Dr. Justin Kastner with Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Undergraduate Outstanding Teaching Award

Each year, Commerce Bank and the William T. Kemper Foundation support the Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Undergraduate Outstanding Teaching Award, recognizing faculty members who excel in teaching, research and the mentoring of undergraduate students. The CVM's Dr. Justin Kastner, was one of four recepients from across the university. Dr. Kastner's teaching style is student-centered and encourages student curiosity. Students describe Dr. Kastner as beyond knowledgeable and deeply passionate

Beef Cattle Institute celebrates millionth download of its 'Cattle Chat' podcast

The hosts of the BCI Cattle Chat celebrated reaching one million podcast downloads at the end of April. The May 8 episodes reflected on memorable guests, listener interactions, and how the show evolved since beginning in 2018–2019. The hosts highlighted popular listener question topics over the years, including nutrition, reproduction, management, genetics, markets and grazing management. Follow the link to hear insights from favorite episodes and discussions on how the podcast has helped deliver timely cattle industry information to producers around the world!

Marking Mental Health Month with Veterinary Health Center's Cassidy Moreau

By KTMJ-TV Fox 43

Fox 43 AM Live’s Dane Kroll sits down wtih Cassidy Moreau with Veterinary Health Center to chat about her role as a veterinary social worker and how she helps pet parents during stressful times at the veterinary office. During the interview, Cassidy addresses the importance of taking care of pet parents, veterinary teams and the human-animal bond. Behind every visit is a team balancing medical care, emotional support and complex decisions. Kindness and patience truly make a difference for everyone in the room.

Graduate assistant shines a light on the challenges facing rural veterinarians

In parts of Kansas, a single unanswered phone call can mean life or death for livestock — that's the reality for many rural veterinarians. That pressure-filled system is driving clinicians away, leaving farmers with fewer care options. Caroline's research is looking to change that. As a graduate research assistant with the Beef Cattle Institute, or BCI, Caroline facilitated a study informing her co-authored research paper, "Factors Associated with Veterinarian Longevity in Rural Practice."

Master of Public Health graduate Michael Gibson receives Health Education Technology Innovation Award

The Society for Public Health Education, or SOPHE, has presented Michael Gibson, a K-State MPH graduate, with its Health Education Technology Innovation Award for the Health Loteria program that he created. Michael is a Disease Investigator with Health Services Division-Disease Containment at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.

“I felt an incredible sense of validation, not just for the work I put into this project, but for the community voices that shaped it." Michael said.

CVM-trained service dog supports Virginia student’s journey toward medical school

By The Blue Ridge Leader and Loudoun Today

A recent high school graduate from Ashburn, Virginia, is looking forward to prospects for higher education thanks to the assistance of a service dog formerly handled by K-State veterinary student, Kylie Bitcon, class of 2028. Kate has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and manages daily challenges that can limit her energy and endurance. With the support of Cork, a specially trained black Labrador from KSDS Assistance Dogs Inc., Kate has confidence to move forward to pursue her goals. Kylie trained Cork on basic commands and socialization for 18 months at K-State.

More news from the college

Congratulations to Clinical Sciences faculty members that were recipients of the Dr. Karen Hale Young Research Award Intramural Grant Program. Dr. Chieko Azuma received $15,000 for her project, “Prospective Evaluation of Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) for Pain Management in Canine Elbow Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study.” Dr. Nate Kapaldo received $15,000 for his project, “Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Ketamine Administered by Oral, Oral-Transmucosal, and Subcutaneous Routes in Healthy Dogs.

The Shelter Medicine Community Outreach team headed back to Santee Sioux Nation to provide free medical and surgical care to pets in this underserved Nebraska community on April 10-12. The team of 30 people consisted of KSU clinicians, staff and students as well as staff from Capitol Humane Society and Nebraska Humane Society. The team served 145 patients (75 dogs, 44 cats and 26 equine) and included 30 spays, 16 neuters, and 244 vaccines.

The 43rd Annual Frank W. Jordan Seminar was hosted at the CVM on April 12. This year’s seminar focused on veterinary dentistry. Dr. Chris Blevins presented on equine periodontal disease and Dr. Marjory Artzer presented on Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) as well as common and juvenile dental problems. A total of 186 participants attended, with 52 in person and 132 online.

Dr. Chris Blevins traveled with Dr. Beth Davis to AAVMC Advocacy Day on Capital Hill in Washington D.C. on April 15. They visited with Kansas congress members and connected with Representative Tracy Mann to advocate veterinarians being recognized alongside other health care professionals in federal legislation as well as maintaining USDA support for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program.

Congratulations to Susie Larson on her retirement after 35 years of service. A reception was held May 21.

Dr. Tim Musch completed his three-year stint as president-elect, president and past-president of the American Phyiological Society. "We had a great representation of undergraduates (oral presentation, Caden Rowan [Copp Lab], Addison DePlata [Musch/Poole Lab]), graduates Nathan Kenney [Musch/Poole] Lab and a raft of Ph.D graduates from Kinesiology/Anatomy and Physiology pictured at a gathering in Dr. Musch's presidential suite," said Dr. David Poole.

Dr. David Poole was the inaugural "Excellence in Translational Research" speaker at the American Physiology Summit. His presentation was titled “Physiology of Exercise (In)tolerance: Laboratory-Clinic-Society” and he said the session garnered about150-200 attendees. Dr. Poole was presented with a recognition plaque by Dr. Christos Katsanos in Minneapolis on April 25.

Veterinary students receive Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC scholarship

From left: Joshua Waller (2028), Jentri Reamy (2028), Siera Harrison (2028), Cheyenne Town (2027), Kaitlin Colle (2027), Jaycie Rau (2027), Mackenzie Gore (2027), and Chase Gore (2027).

Each year the Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship supports students who demonstrate academic excellence and an interest in careers across all areas of veterinary medicine. The scholarship is open to second- and third-year veterinary students attending U.S. schools of veterinary medicine. Scholarship recipients are recognized annually in conjunction with the SAVMA Symposium, which was held this year at North Carolina State University March 13–15.

SAVMA Symposium connects mentor with future VHC intern

From left: K-State SAVMA President Trinity Keara (2028), KSU SAVMA Junior Delegate Sara Sweat (2029), Dr. Kyle Frett, Dr. Troy Holder, Senior Delegate Siera Harrison (2028), and SAVMA president-elect Kailee Irvin (2029).

Dr. Troy Holder, clinical assistant professor in large animal emergency, had an opportunity to meet with a future VHC intern, Dr. Kyle Frett (a 2026 graduate from Tuskegee's College of Veterinary Medicine) at the annual SAVMA Symposium held at Raleigh, North Carolina, in March. For the past year, Dr. Frett has served as the National SAVMA president and Dr. Holder has been his presidential advisor.

"Kyle will be joining us as a large animal medicine and surgery intern, with the long-term goal of becoming a board-certified large animal surgeon," Dr. Holder said. "He reached out to me during his first year at Tuskegee, already certain that he wanted to become an equine surgeon. We're excited that KSU was Kyle's first choice for their internship. "

Quick pics from Commencement

The class of 2026 recieves their DVM degrees during the College of Veterinary Medicine commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15. Top left: Dr. Danielle Gibbs, class of 2026, sings the national anthem. Top right: Dr. Chance Kopsa recieves his hood from Dr. Charles Luke, K-State DVM class of 1977. Bottom left: Dr. Danqin Li is hooded by Drs. Jishu Shi and Lei Wang. Bottom right: Graduates stand while K-State President Richard Linton formally confers the DVM degree to the candidates in this graduating class. See the recorded livestream online.

Quick pics from White Coat

The annual White Coat Ceremony was held Friday, May 8. This celebrates the transition of third-year students from their preclinical education to their fourth-year clinical rotations at the Veterinary Health Center. Top left: Students found notes in their white coat pockets. The notes expressed congratulations and encouragement as written by a variety K-State veterinary alumni and/or CVM faculty members. Top right: Third-year student Ally Hazy checks on Gordo, a KSDS pup-in-training to make sure he is ready to cross the stage with her. Bottom: The class of 2027 poses for a group photo upon recieving their white coats. See the recorded livestream online.

CVM graduate student receives recognition from K-State

Congratulations to Taylor McAtee who received the Graduate Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service, an honor presented to a graduate student who has made a meaningful impact through leadership, service, and dedication to the graduate student community.

"I am thankful for the opportunities, mentorship and experiences K-State has provided throughout my graduate education," Taylor said. "Following graduation, I plan to continue working in the beef industry with a focus on animal health, epidemiology and sustainability. I’m proud to represent K-State as I begin the next chapter of my career."

"Taylor has led the College of Veterinary Medicine Graduate Student Association (GSA) as the vice president and president, and now currently as the executive advisor, representing over 200 graduate students — advocating for their needs and concerns," said Dr. David Renter, pictured above with Taylor. "She has already distinguished herself as a leading young scientist with her research focused on beef cattle health, antimicrobial use, production efficiency and sustainability. Her student leadership roles with GSA, the K-State Interdisciplinary Beef Graduate Student Cohort and Association for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine exemplify her hard work and dedication to serving graduate students and making a positive impact at multiple levels."

VHC Patient Reunion brings joy to clients and care teams

The Veterinary Health Center held a special "Patient Reunion" on April 24. Clients were greeted by their care teams (clinicians, house officers, fourth-year students, veterinary nurses and assistants) to reconnected with the special patients who have visited the VHC in recent months. Willie the Wildcat made a special appearance and posed for pictures on this joyous occasion. See more photos on the VHC Facebook page.