It is hard to express how much it means to me to share my thoughts in this, my first Dean’s Column, since joining the College of Veterinary Medicine as Dean and Hospital CEO in November. Serving in this new role is both a tremendous blessing and a momentous responsibility, and I deeply appreciate the trust placed in me as the one selected for this remarkable opportunity.
As I begin this new challenge, I am thankful for my background as a first generation college student from rural Indiana, where I was blessed to grow up in a family that valued hard work, commitment and caring. I came to Purdue in the late 1970s to pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian and then to embark on a career involving animal agriculture. Purdue equipped and enabled me to take on that challenge, and prepared me to assume the role of Indiana State Veterinarian just a few years later. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to pursue my dream of working as a veterinarian to positively serve people and animals in animal agriculture.
Today I think about how quickly 40 years have passed by. I feel tremendously blessed to already have experienced a rewarding and satisfying career, and I cannot think of a more meaningful opportunity at this stage of my professional life than to come back to Purdue and lead the College of Veterinary Medicine – the very college that some 40 years ago opened the door for me to begin a career in veterinary medicine.
I appreciate the warm and gracious welcome I’ve received since arriving at the office on my first day November 4. Thank you to the many people who have stopped by to offer their help and congratulations.
I’m excited about the prospects for our college, our hospitals, our diagnostic lab, and our teaching opportunities for students. Our research has been phenomenal and I’m sure there are great opportunities for us in the future. I truly look forward to working with the college’s outstanding team of faculty, staff, students and alumni. Together we will uphold the legacy of excellence we’ve received from those who’ve gone before us and served with dedication and distinction as educators, scholars and alumni, including and especially Dean Emeritus Willie Reed. I also want to express appreciation for all that Dr. Kathy Salisbury has done to serve and support the college as interim dean over the last several months, in addition to continuing in her role of associate dean for academic affairs.
As we move forward and pursue the next giant leap for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, I believe that, even with all that has been accomplished, the best days for Purdue Veterinary Medicine are ahead. I have every confidence that, working together, we will forge an even brighter future for our college, the veterinary medical profession, and the people, animals and relationships we serve and support.
Bret D. Marsh, DVM