Dr. Cecil W. Ingmire - DVM 1947
2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Cecil W. Ingmire, Joliet, Ill., received the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine and its Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association.
The award was presented Monday, June 4, 2007 as part of the 69th Annual Conference for Veterinarians at K-State.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given to a veterinarian who has had an outstanding career and who has contributed to the success of the veterinary profession through service and professional organizations.
Dr. Ingmire grew up on farms in Morris County, Kan. In 1943, he graduated from Dwight Rural High School, one of two boys in a class of seven.
During World War II, classes were accelerated to three, 16-week semesters, with one week off between semesters. After a year of pre-veterinary classes, Dr. Ingmire completed the four-year veterinary curriculum in less than three years. He graduated with a DVM from K-State on February 4, 1947 at the age of 21.
“I had great professors,” Dr. Ingmire recalled. “I have never forgotten them.”
Following graduation and his marriage to Mary Austin, Dr. Ingmire worked in a mixed practice in Akron, Ohio, for a year. In 1948, he started his own practice in Joliet. He performed testing for brucellosis and tuberculosis on cattle, acquainting him with many farmers throughout the county.
From 1954 to 1956, Dr. Ingmire served as a captain in the United States Army Veterinary Corps as a food inspector. Following his military service, he returned to Joliet and built his own clinic, working mainly with farmers, dairymen and later equine clients. Dr. Ingmire retired in 1997 after 50 successful years as a veterinarian.
During his career, Dr. Ingmire held memberships in the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Beef Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and Kankakee Valley Veterinary Medical Association. He served on the board of directors for the ISVMA from 1987 to 1990, and he served as president from 1991 to 1992.
He is an active mentor to the Will County Farm Bureau and 4-H, helping young people who are interested in farming and careers in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Ingmire worked for the establishment of Veterinary Technician Programs at Parkland College, Champaign, Ill., and at Joliet Junior College.
Dr. Ingmire and his wife, Mary, have been married for 60 years and have four children, Wayne, CVM ’75, Linda, Celia and Jann. The Ingmires have seven grandchildren and twin great-grandsons.