College confers degrees at annual commencement ceremony, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian Graves, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-6228

Degrees awarded at annual commencement ceremony

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, (May 5, 2008) – The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine presented graduates with doctor of veterinary medicine degrees and graduate degrees at its 57^th commencement ceremony at Northrop Auditorium on May 3.

Interim Dean Trevor Ames presented the opening remarks, commenting that “there is no more exciting time in the life of a university than the day we acknowledge our graduates who are set to launch their careers and to make their mark on society.”

University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks presented welcome remarks, and renowed primatologist Jane Goodall gave the commencement address, staying after the ceremony to sign books and pose for photographs with graduates and guests. Mary McKie gave the response for the class of 2008, addressing her classmates and reflecting on the past four years of college. Regent Dallas Bohnsack conferred the degrees on the class, and Dr. Teresa Hershey, president of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, administered the veterinarian’s oath. Dr. Jack Risdahl, president of the College’s Alumni and Friends Society, welcomed the students into the alumni organization, and congratulatory remarks were made by Dr. Barbara Brandt, assistant vice president for education in the Academic Health Center.

“Whether you choose a career in private or corporate practice, the military, government, environmental protection, public health, food safety, or higher education, you will have a profound effect on society,” said Interim Dean Ames. “Those who work at the interface of human and animal disease have never been more important.”

Since the College of Veterinary Medicine’s inception 60 years ago, approximately 4,000 students have received veterinary degrees. In addition to the 91 students who received their D.V.M. degrees at the 2008 commencement ceremony, 8 were also awarded M.P.H. degrees, 6 students were awarded Ph.D. degrees; and 4 received master of science degrees.

Recipients of the D.V.M. degree
Joshua Albright
Abigail Albright
Sarah Alpert
Cynthia  Argue
Joan Ayers
Stephanie Bailey
Katherine Baratto
Erin Bequette
Jessica Bienapfl
Keith Bogatch
Ashley Brown
Jacqueline Bryan
Bethany Buechler
Melissa Caid
Kirsten Caskey
John Clappier
Kathlyn  Coughlan
Sarah Crain
Lisa Drabinsky
Robinette Dunahugh-Ralston
Alina Evans
Molly Fee
Elizabeth Fenske
Julie Fill
Carin Frenchick
Sue Goetz
Aleksandra Golovyan
Heidi Hammel
Daniel Hagman
David Harder
Emmy Hartman
Jamie Hawkins-Skime
Joseph Hochhalter
Holly Hommerding
Rebecca Hon
Cheryl Igielski
Gracian Isidron
Heather Johnson
Tracy Julius
Judith Kashman
Jamie Keene
Erica Keller
Stephanie Kennedy
Kristine Koepplin
Lindi Kopecko
Amber Krahmer
John Labbe
Stacy Lewison
Jennifer  Lonsky
Anne Macnab
Thomas Maley
Sandra Marks-Stubchaer
Angela Marthaler
Mary McDowell
Mary McKie
Amelia Mellett
Sarah Mercurio
Helen Michael
Susan Miller
Tricia Munroe
Eugenia Nieto
Jennifer  Norton
Dana Novara
Christy Novick
Krista Osmundson
Abigail Pontinen
Andrea   Peterson
Lindsey  Reddemann
Ryan Reid
Leah Renne
Molly Revord
Melinda Rostal
Eric Ruhland
Jesse Sandbulte
Kendall  Sawyer
Kristin Schafgans
Tammy   Schilling
Lisa Schmidt
Joanna Schmit
Laura Schulz
Stacie Seymour
Moira Sheehan
Tara Sime
Krista Steffenhagen
Freya Stein
Aubrey  Tauer
Dominic Tauer
Samala Van Hoomissen
Carie Weismantel
Anna Wildgrube
Grant Williams
Kristin Wise

Recipients of the Ph.D. degree
Jun Han
Jin Liu
Teresa Lea Mattila
Cholawat Pacharinsak
Maria G. Pieters Silva
Lisa Schmidt

Recipients of the M.S. degree
Cassandra Johnson
Hyeun Bum Kim
Meetu Seth
Kyra Wingate

Recipients of the D.V.M./M.P.H. degree
Abigail Albright
Keith Bogatch
Kathlyn Coughlan
Alina Evans
Cheryl Igielski
Judith Kashman
Melinda Rostal
Stacie Seymour

Recipients of the D.V.M./Ph.D. degree
Lisa Schmidt

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The College of Veterinary Medicine improves the health and well-being of animals and people by providing high-quality veterinary training, conducting leading-edge research, and delivering innovative veterinary services.