Reflecting on Black History Month – the Story of a PVM History-Maker

As Purdue University has honored the impact, contributions, and excellence of Black Boilermakers over the past few weeks as part of Black History Month, the College of Veterinary Medicine highlights a significant person in its own history.  Dr. William Dunn (PU DVM ’71), is the first Black DVM graduate of the College.  And, with today marking the beginning of Women’s History Month, we look forward to an upcoming feature on the college’s first Black woman DVM graduate, Dr. Doris Hughes-Moore (PU DVM ’73). 

Dr. Dunn grew up in Indianapolis and recalls that his interest in veterinary medicine began at the age of eight when his family took their dog to the local veterinarian.   Amazed at the fantastic work the veterinarian did to get their beloved pet feeling better again, Dr. Dunn knew from that moment on that he wanted to become a veterinarian.  Resolute in his thinking, he never changed his mind all throughout his childhood and education.

Dr. Dunn attended Shortridge High School and remembers how he was blessed with the ability to take two years of biology from a teacher with a PhD in the field. This experience not only increased his interest in veterinary medicine, but also prepared him for the rigorous education he would receive at Purdue University.

At the time, there were just under 20 veterinary medical schools in the entire country and Dr. Dunn said he was fortunate to live in a state that had one, which was then called the Purdue University School of Veterinary Science and Medicine.   During his time at Purdue, Dr. Dunn was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and also served as an advisor at McCutcheon Hall, a position that covered his tuition. Dr. Dunn encourages any college student in any major to take any kind of resident assistantship, work study position, or other job opportunity to be able to graduate with less debt.

When asked about advice for students studying veterinary medicine, Dr. Dunn explained that when students see any open door they should not be afraid to walk through it, and that sometimes you never know how your education may help you.  He recalls that as veterinary students, he and his classmates in the DVM Class of 1971 were required to study all animal species regardless of their own particular interests. Even students who wanted to be small animal veterinarians had to take classes on treating livestock, which proved useful for Dr. Dunn because of the various fields he worked in later.

After earning his DVM degree, Dr. Dunn accepted a position at Merrick Animal Hospital in Brookfield, Illinois, where he worked until October 1972.  He then returned to Indianapolis to work for Eli Lilly and Company, where his father also had worked. Dr. Dunn’s employment at Eli Lilly enabled him to serve in a myriad of positions and work with all sorts of animals from dogs and cats to pigs and horses. Dr. Dunn said he was well prepared to work with all of these creatures due to the College of Veterinary Medicine’s diverse curriculum.

After 28 years in the workforce, Dr. Dunn retired in January 2000 at the age of 52.  When asked for a final piece of advice for soon-to-be-graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Dunn replied that while being devoted to your career is important, enjoying life is equally so. “I got where I am by working hard when I needed to and playing as hard when I needed to,” said Dr. Dunn.

Two years after Dr. Dunn earned his veterinary degree, Dr. Doris Hughes-Moore became the first Black woman to graduate with a Purdue DVM degree.  We plan to feature her story in an upcoming issue of the Vet Gazette as part of Women’s History Month.

Writer(s): Jonathan Martz | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Basic Medical Sciences Faculty Member Selected as Showalter Faculty Scholar

Dr. Dianne Little, associate professor of basic medical sciences, is one of four Purdue University faculty members newly named as Showalter Faculty Scholar recipients. These appointments bring the number of currently funded Showalter scholars on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus to 15. The Showalter Trust also provided 13 early career faculty members with 2025 research grants, including a member of the Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department Faculty.

United Way Shares PVM Family’s Story as College Approaches it’s Purdue United Way Goal

With the Purdue United Way Campaign in week 6, the United Way of Greater Lafayette shared the story of a Purdue Veterinary Medicine family to highlight just how much impact giving local has on the local community.  The story is that of Angela Pickett, executive assistant to the dean, and her son, Charlie, who both have experienced the impact of the United Way and its programs.

Faculty Receive Recognition at Purdue Veterinary Medicine Fall Awards Celebration

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated the accomplishments of outstanding faculty at a special Faculty Awards Celebration held in Lynn Hall.  The recognition program Thursday, October 23, featured the presentation of four awards for outstanding teaching and excellence in research and service, as well as a new award named in honor of Dean Emeritus Willie Reed and State Representative Sheila Klinker, that recognizes an exemplary community partnership.

PVM Professor and Interim Department Head Tim Lescun Elected to ACVS Board of Regents

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) has announced the results of the election to choose a new president-elect and two new members of the ACVS Board of Regents, and one of the new leaders is Dr. Tim Lescun, BVSc, MS, PhD, DACVS, Purdue Veterinary Medicine professor and interim head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

Trick-or-Treat without the stress: Tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween

It’s Halloween! So don’t forget about your furry friends and how the excitement of trick-or-treaters and unfamiliar faces can disrupt their usual routine. Pets go missing all year long, of course, but especially during Fourth of July and Halloween celebrations.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we’re congratulating Carissa Burgess, who is a Pre-Award Sponsored Program Services staff person for all of her efforts in her role.