Veterinary Students Receive Recognition at Life of the College Awards

Eleven veterinary students in Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine were recently recognized for their achievements at the 2017 Life of the College Awards.

The program recognizes students’ scholarly work, research accomplishments, business aptitude, promotion of the human-animal bond, and their altruistic service to the college, faculty and fellow students.

“This is a great day in the life of the college because it is a day to celebrate your accomplishments and your outstanding success,” said Dr. Dan Givens, the associate dean for Academic Affairs. “By being a student here, you’ve shown how outstanding you are and we celebrate and recognize all of you.”

The awards ceremony was held as part of the weekly Clinicopathology Conference presentations, during which senior-level students give presentations on unique cases they have treated during their clinical rotations.

Students receiving awards were:

Bobby Thorington, Jr., a first-year student, from Hope Hull, Ala., was awarded the Francesca B. Gaither Scholarship, in recognition of his accomplishments prior to admission to the college. The award is named for the late Francesca B. Gaither, a member of the class of 1987.

Thorington was selected for the award for his outstanding work ethic and dedication to the profession prior to be admitted to the college – he earned a master’s degree in biology and has logged more than 8,400 hours of work with veterinarians. One of his mentors said his “passion and drive to be a veterinarian for all the right reasons and his perseverance will help him succeed in veterinary medicine.”

Hilary Rizk Seals, second-year student from Strongsville, Ohio was awarded the T.C. Fitzgerald Memorial Award, in recognition for a second-year student’s outstanding ability and academic performance in anatomy during their first year. The award is named for Dr. T.C. Fitzgerald, head of the Department of Anatomy and Histology, now the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology (APP), from 1948 to 1968. “This student is fearless,” said Dr. Mahmoud Mansour, a professor of APP who made the award. “Her scores in both large and small animal were at the top.”

Seals also received the I.S. McAdory Memorial Award, which is given to a second-year student who was selected as the outstanding first-year student at the college. Dr. I.S. McAdory served as the second dean of the college from 1935 to 1940.

“She asks fearless questions and is a role model for students,” Dr. Mansour added.

Jordan Hall, a second-year student from Alabaster, Ala., was awarded the LaVerne Krista Histology Award for outstanding demonstrated ability in histology. The award is named for Dr. LaVerne Krista, who spent his entire veterinary career as a faculty member at Auburn. He joined in 1969, was appointed the head of the Department of Anatomy and Histology in 1988, and retired in 1998.

Hall demonstrated “outstanding ability in both semesters of histology and is a stand-out student,” Dr. Chad Foradori, a professor of histology, said in making the award.

Victoria Crabtree, a third-year student from Pine Knot, Ky., and Jonathan Tubbs, a second-year student from Oakman, Ala, were each awarded the Student Research Award for their demonstrated ability for research. The award is sponsored by Dr. Charles H. Courtney, a 1977 graduate of the college, who previously served as the associate dean for research and graduate studies at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Both of these students ventured beyond the hallowed halls of academia to continue research in the field and are to be commended,” said Dr. Frank “Skip” Bartol, associate dean of Research and Graduate Studies.

Brett Story, a third-year student from West Palm, Fla., was presented the Scott-Ritchey Research Award for his accomplishments during a research fellowship. The Scott-Ritchey Research Center was initially established by Mr. K.A. Scott in appreciation for services provided by the Small Animal Teaching Hospital. Miss Eleanor Ritchey bequeathed the bulk of her estate to provide support to this research center.

Rachel Roberson a third-year student from Geneva, Fla., was presented the Edwin R. Goode, Jr. Memorial Award, for her contributions to large animal research. The award is named for Dr. Goode, who was known for his work in bovine brucellosis.

Katie Groves, a third-year student from Elkton, Ky., was presented the Simmons Business Aptitude Award. The Simmons & Associates Educational Trust Fund established a scholarship in 2003 to recognize a veterinary student from the college who has demonstrated an ability and interest in the business aspects of veterinary practice.

Jacquie Cobb, third-year student from Roshelle, Ill., was presented the Pat Teer Award for her positive, significant interest and participation in the training and use of animals in the promotion of the human-animal bond. The award is named for Dr. Teer, who taught Clinical Pathology at the college for more than 30 years. She was also involved in the training and showing of pure bred dogs.

Cobb was selected for her leadership qualities while attending the college, as she is president of multiple clubs. And, she frequently flies to be an active volunteer in a Chicago-area rescue shelter, responsible for the rehoming of more than 2,500 animals.

Rebekah Green, a third-year student from Prospect, Ky., was awarded the R.S. Sugg Memorial Award, presented to the third-year student who was selected as the outstanding second-year student at the college. The award is named for Dr. R.S. Sugg, who received his DVM from Auburn University, served in WWII, and was the Alabama State Veterinarian. Dr. Sugg was instrumental in the development of the Southern Regional Education Board.

Green was selected for her outstanding dedication, scholarship, and being “the quiet person who supports students in her class,” said Dr. Dan Givens, associate dean for Academic Affairs.

Alan Bocage, a fourth-year student from Burlington, N.J., received the James E. Greene Memorial award for his unselfish, altruistic service to the college, faculty, and fellow students as determined by nominations and selection by faculty and students. The award is named for Dr. James E. Greene, who was the fourth dean of the college from 1958 to 1977.

“Alan is a go-to student, a positive person who rarely is rattled and always trying to make things better,” said Dean Calvin Johnson, who made the presentation.