As he approaches the conclusion of his tenure as dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine June 30, Dr. Willie Reed sat down recently with Kate Young, host of “This is Purdue,” the official podcast for Purdue University, to share his engaging story about making dreams come true. Just released yesterday (Thursday, June 13), the podcast conveys Dean Reed’s incredible story of persistence — from being taught first grade by his grandmother in southern Alabama to becoming dean of one of the top veterinary colleges in the country.
Listen Now to Episode 110 of “This is Purdue”
Kate, herself a Purdue University alumna and graduate of the Brian Lamb School of Communication, talks with Dean Reed about what led him to pursue a career as a veterinarian and how his efforts have helped meet the increasing demand for veterinary professionals by expanding and adapting the College of Veterinary Medicine’s world-class facilities. He also shares about his love for animals and discusses Purdue research on the human-animal bond and how animals have a positive effect on human mental and physical health. “Whether it’s a dog or a cat or some other animal, they bring us so much joy…Our whole well-being is increased.”
Other topics addressed in the podcast include current pathology research at Purdue and Dean Reed’s plans for future endeavors, including mentoring students in underrepresented communities to teach them the path to becoming a veterinarian. “I had a dream and I tell my students, ‘You have to believe in the beauty of your dream. Don’t let anybody deter you from that. You have to be persistent.’”
Dean Reed earned his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at Tuskegee University before coming to Purdue University to pursue a graduate degree in veterinary pathology. After earning his PhD in 1982, he joined the Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty, serving as associate professor of avian pathology and as chief of Avian Disease Diagnostic Services in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. In 1990, he accepted an offer at Michigan State University to become a full professor and director of the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (now called the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory).
Dr. Reed returned to Purdue to become dean of the veterinary college in 2007. His accomplishments include spearheading completion of the world-class David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex, growing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program’s class size by 20%, and positively impacting the lives of countless animals and students.
“There’s something about the Purdue spirit that is unique,” Dean Reed says. “When you come here, this is a place where dreams can come true.”
Click here to listen to “This is Purdue” Podcast Ep. 110, Dean, Mentor, Boilermaker: Celebrating Willie Reed and His Lasting Legacy on the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Click here to view the podcast promotional video and check out additional videos of Dean Reed on the podcast’s YouTube page.
