Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh recently attended the Purdue Football Coaches Celebration at McGraw’s Purdue Chop House in West Lafayette, where he connected with new Purdue Head Football Coach Barry Odom. The event, hosted by McGraw’s owner Todd McGraw, also featured an opportunity to meet “Odom,” the Purdue Beef Angus Bull that serves as the latest symbol of Boilermaker pride.
Dean Marsh and Coach Odom, as two new leaders at Purdue, discussed their shared commitment to excellence, tradition, and community. Dean Marsh highlighted the state-of-the-art services offered by the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, which plays a critical role in advancing animal health and supporting Indiana’s agricultural backbone.
Coach Odom expressed genuine interest in working with the College of Veterinary Medicine in the coming year — signaling a promising collaboration between two of Purdue’s most recognized programs. Their conversation underscores the dynamic ways Purdue is fostering innovation and connection across campus, offering alumni and donors an exciting glimpse into the future.
Another VIP guest at the event was Dr. Bethany Funnell, Purdue Veterinary Medicine clinical associate professor of bovine theriogenology, who teaches veterinary students about bovine reproduction and provided the clinical expertise necessary for the bull named Odom to be produced via in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Dr. Funnel said these kinds of “assisted reproductive technologies,” or ARTs, are examples of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s advanced clinical services supporting animal agriculture. The process involved aspirating the eggs (oocytes) from the donor cow, fertilizing them with frozen/thawed semen from the donor bull, and then transferring the resultant embryo into the recipient female. After an additional 275 days of in utero growth and development, the bull Odom was born.
“We utilize these ARTs to increase the number of offspring born from animals with higher value genetics,” said Dr. Funnell. “In particular, this is advantageous for high value females, since a cow generally will only have one calf per year. By utilizing ARTs, a high value cow can have many more of her offspring born to genetically unrelated recipients.”
The summer celebration at McGraw’s put the spotlight on two exciting Purdue programs – one under the leadership of Coach Odom that looks to showcase excellence on the gridiron this fall, and the other under the guidance of Dean Marsh, that’s creating the next chapter of excellence in Purdue veterinary medical education, research and service.
