Established by a Grass Roots Movement: Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine

Donald F. Smith, Cornell University
July 4, 2014

It’s the most remarkable story imaginable: how a group of returning World War II veterans, concerned that their state of Minnesota did not have a program to teach veterinary medicine, formed a political lobby so effective as to overcome resistance of the very university that would eventually grant them their DVM degrees. If there ever was an example of the impact and power of students to effect meaningful change, this is it.

After World War II, thousands of battle-weary veterans returned home, clutching in their hands and hearts the desire to get a university education. Many who aspired to become veterinarians, like Glen Nelson of Minnesota, were married and impatiently ready to get on with their lives.

After he was discharged in 1945, Glen and his wife, Mary, motored in their 1940 Buick to Fort Collins, Colorado, home to one of the ten existing veterinary colleges. Glen was in the process of submitting his application when the dean called him into his office.

You know, Glen, I’ve got to be honest with you, If you stay here for five years [as an undergraduate] and get straight ‘A’s, I can’t assure you that you’ll get into vet school because we have to take residents first, then residents of adjoining states, and it will be more than five years down the road regardless of what you do.1

The Nelsons returned home, dejected but not beaten. Glen enrolled in Animal Husbandry at the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture, and there met Ithel Schipper, a graduate student in Dairy Bacteriology who was also interested in becoming a veterinarian. They started to meet at the student center to discuss a plan, and soon they and other aspiring veterinarians formed a pre-vet club that grew to over 80, mostly veterans

The group lobbied state legislators, the Farm Bureau, the Farmers Union, the Grange and the American Legion. With the encouragement of one state senator (Anchor Nelsen), Glen Nelson rounded up 70-80 students who donned their ribbons from the war and assembled on the Rotunda of the Capital.2

Despite the support they received from many organizations, the university was opposed. The administration was concerned that a new veterinary college would siphon off resources from what they feared to be a zero-sum appropriation from the Legislature. However, like in so many Midwestern states, the power in the legislature was agriculture and the battle came down to a struggle between the university’s board of regents (of which only two strongly supported the new veterinary school), and the legislature.

The political issues between the university and some members of the legislature became so heated that one state senator (Oscar Swenson) expressed the opinion that the College of Agriculture (which would be home to the nascent veterinary program) be “divorced” from the rest of the university so that the legislature could exercise more control over funds appropriate to agriculture.3

There was even opposition within the agricultural college as current veterinary college dean, Dr. Trevor Ames, reported on his understanding of the mood of Nelson and other veterans at the time.4

There is a great story of Glen being called to the dean’s office of the College of Agriculture and being told that he and the rest of the pre-vet club needed to stop their political lobbying for a new veterinary school. The story goes that Glen boldly informed the dean that he had just spent four years in Europe as a tank commander and certainly wasn’t going to be intimidated by a university administrator.

During that same session of the legislature, a bill was advanced to lay the groundwork for establishing a veterinary college at ‘university farm,’ part of the agricultural college on the St. Paul campus.5

The justification for veterinary medicine was buttressed by the assertion of the sponsor of the veterinary bill that Minnesota “faces a ‘critical’ shortage of veterinarians and a total lack of school facilities. As a result, many ex-servicemen who desire to follow the profession are denied training opportunities.”6 The fact that Minnesota’s 409 veterinarians were an average of 51 years, and that Minnesota (the third ranked state in livestock production) was unable to enroll students in other state schools because of the backlog of competition from their own residents, strengthened the arguments.7 These were the very arguments that Nelson, Schipper, and their colleagues had been making for months as well pressing the need for veterinarians familiar with such public health issues are tuberculosis and brucellosis.

Original Veterinary Anatomy Building

(Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2014)

The 1947 legislature appropriated money to start the school8 and 24 students matriculated that fall. For the college’s first ten years, it was administratively part of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Economics.

Original Veterinary Hospital Building

(Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2014)

Glen Nelson graduated with the first class in 1951. He served in the Army Veterinary Corps in Korea and became a faculty member at the University of Minnesota from which he received the Distinguished Service Award in 1990 and a similar citation from the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Associate the following year.9 In his waning years, Dr. Nelson reflected about the composition of the first class, of which he was a member.

Most of us were veterans. We had a B17 pilot who was shot down over France and escaped back to England with the French Underground. We had a B29 pilot that flew over Nagasaki the day after THE Bomb. I was a tank officer under Patton in North Africa and Italy. We had a prisoner of war in our class, an ex-POW from the Germans, and one that was shot up pretty bad on Saipan. Going to the student center was like sitting around the American Legion Club.10

Glen Nelson, DVM (U Minn Class of 1951)

(Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2014)

In the history course I teach to veterinary students at Cornell, I always take time to describe this story as a case study of the impact that veterinary students can have on the outcome of the profession. Surely there is no better example.

By Donald F. Smith

Dr. Smith acknowledges the research assistance from Nathan Watson (Cornell, 2017). He is also grateful for the provision of photographs and support of Dean Trevor Ames and Ms. Sue Kirchoff of the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Smith invites comments at dfs6@cornell.edu

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1 Nelson, Glen H. Give Us a Veterinary College. In Their Words: The Stories of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation, Minnesota Historical Society (2007).
2 Ibid.
3 Johnson, Adolph. Separate State Agricultural College Sought. Winona Republican Herald, Feb 4, 1947.
4 Ames, Trevor (Dean, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine). Email to Donald F. Smith (Cornell University), June 20, 2014.
5 Ibid.
6 Veterinary College for “U” Approved. Brainerd Daily Dispatch, March 3, 1947.
7 Ibid.
8 24 Enroll in First U. of M. Veterinary School. The Winona Republican Herald, Sept 27, 1947.
9 Nelson, Glen H. Obituaries. JAVMA News, February 15, 2011.
10 Nelson, Glen H. Give Us a Veterinary College. Ibid.

Applying to Veterinary College: Your Essay or Personal Statement

By Donald F. Smith, DVM, Cornell University

Posted September 11, 2011

The deadline for veterinary college applications for the Class of 2016 is fast approaching. In a previous blog, I addressed some key features of recommendation letters from veterinarians and others whom you have asked to support your application. 

http://veterinarylegacy.blogspot.com/2011/04/letters-of-recommendation-for.html 

I now turn to your essay, that important personal statement that becomes the central point for evaluators as they ascertain your understanding of the breadth and scope of veterinary medicine, and your ability and commitment to become a contributing member of the profession.

As you review the various drafts of your essay and make final changes before the VMCAS deadline, consider the following

• How well have you convinced the faculty reviewing your folder that you have a broad perspective on contemporary veterinary medicine?
• If you have a specific interest in one species or group of species (like cats, horses, wildlife), or in one professional field (like public health, surgery, biomedical research), have you provided a compelling argument that you are flexible to learn about other academic or clinical interests?
• Did you provide an overview of your life experiences leading to your current interest in becoming a veterinarian? Did you articulate an interest in, and aptitude for, science as well as a love and respect for animals?
• Have you described your ability to work with people from different backgrounds and with varying personalities both within and outside the profession?
• Avoid using the current buzz words or phrases such as zoonotic disease, human-animal bond, environmental sustainability, or one health unless you can provide a compelling reason why these are important to you as you pursue veterinary medicine.

Your essay should describe you accurately, without hyperbole. Make sure it is clear, concise, and free of errors.

Best wishes as you submit your final application and as you await those calls, letters and e-mails in a few months.

Dr. Smith welcomes comments at dfs6@cornell.edu.

Letters of Recommendation for Veterinary Students

By Donald F. Smith, Cornell University

Posted April 19th, 2011.

This blog addresses recommendation letters, both for students preparing their applications for veterinary college, and for current veterinary students applying for jobs and internships.

Selecting the right people to write your reference letters is the most important decision. The people you ask to write letters should:

• Know you and your work. Avoid having a well-known person (eg. legislator, dean) write your letter unless they know you and your accomplishments well.
• Be well-known in the professional community. A good rule of thumb is to ask the most prominent and respected people who also know you well.
• Not be too familiar personally. You should usually avoid letters from family members, neighbors and clergy unless specifically requested.
• Be responsive, reliable, and prompt in writing the reference letter.
• Provide an articulate and concisely-written reference, avoiding hyperbole or exaggeration.
• Make your letter unique to you, your circumstances, and the college or position for which you are applying. I acknowledge that the electronic veterinary college application service (VMCAS) makes it difficult to specify individual colleges.

The reference letter should contain at least five parts, usually in the following order:

1. Description of how long the reviewer has known you, and under what circumstances.
2. If a working situation, the letter should describe your employment responsibilities, and how the work has progressed as you have gained experience and competence.
3. Description of your attributes, including both technical and personal qualities in specific terms to your situation. Letters with platitudes and non-specific descriptions are unhelpful in distinguishing you from other candidates.
4. Narrative of your technical competence, personal and professional qualities, creativity, intellectual stimulation, and progress in your work or studies.
5. Comparison of your suitability for the position with other candidates previously evaluated.

You should determine ahead of time if your evaluator has concerns about recommending you. At an early stage in the process, meet with your prospective evaluator, describing the reason you are requesting a reference, and asking them if they feel comfortable providing a highly supportive letter. Because some reviewers may have a hard time acknowledging their concerns to you directly, you should frame your question in a manner that allows them to express lack of enthusiasm or other possible clues to their lack of full support.

After you decide to request a letter, provide him/her with your resume and a series of bullet points outlining those experiences and attributes that you feel might be helpful for your application. Remember that most reviewers will be writing letters for several applicants and any help you provide will likely be appreciated.

Except in the most unusual circumstances, waive your right to see the letter. Failure to waive your right of confidentiality may mean that the letter will not be taken seriously. It may not even be read!

Consider it your responsibility to ensure that the letter is actually written and gets to the evaluator on schedule.

If you are disappointed that you do not get the position you seek, feel free to follow up with both your evaluator and the institution/employer. To inquire specifically about the contents of a letter is unprofessional and may even imply a breach of ethical judgment. You can, however, ask both parties if there is anything you could do regarding your evaluations to improve your chances in a subsequent year.

Dr. Smith invites comments at dfs6@cornell.edu

VETERINARY CLASS OF 2015: READY! SET! OPTIMIZE!

Author, Donald F. Smith, DVM

Date of posting: April 14, 2011

Congratulations to you who have been accepted to one of the U.S. veterinary colleges this fall. As you anticipate starting classes in just four months, let me offer some specific suggestions.

READY!  Don’t waste this Summer.  Whether you need to work, take a vacation to re-energize before classes start, or reconnect with family and friends, plan this summer in a purposeful manner. Don’t just ‘let it happen’. Determine what your personal, professional and financial goals will be for the fall, and establish a plan to achieve all of them.

Write a thank you note to those in your support network, the veterinarians and mentors who inspired your interest in animals and medicine, and your parents and family members who encouraged and helped you achieve your goals.

SET!  Get to know your College and Begin to Explore the Profession:  Every veterinary college has a story and a legacy. Discover the historical roots of your school, perhaps online or in a book commemorating an anniversary. Search your college’s web site, identify faculty whose interests match yours; write to them, introduce yourself, and make plans to meet them this fall.  

Resolve to learn about what it means to be a DVM (or VMD). Veterinary medicine is a versatile profession because the breadth and scope of our activities are almost limitless. Discover opportunities available to veterinarians beyond your own interest in shelter medicine, zoological medicine or equine practice. Read a great book on some aspect of veterinary medicine, for example, the biography of Dr. James Steele; and also on human medicine, for example, the biography of Dr. William Halsted (I have referenced these two on the side bar to this blog). Periodically check for veterinary news on the web: I find the AVMA http://www.avma.org/ and DVM360 sites http://www.dvm360.com/ excellent for this purpose. Also check out your state and regional veterinary association.

OPTIMIZE!  Prepare for next summer now: Your experience next summer (2012) may be one of the most important learning opportunities in your first year. Start planning now by talking to upper class students, faculty, advisors. For many students, getting out of the university town is important so you can experience the practical world of veterinary medicine. If you don't have a paying veterinary job for next summer, and earning money is important (as it will be for most of you), consider working part time as wait staff in a local restaurant during the afternoons and evening – and pursue your veterinary career during periods of times when you are not working (such as shadowing a veterinarian, working at dog or horse shows, or volunteering in a nursing home that uses animals).

Finally, I invite you to write about your experiences and goals in the comment section of this blog, sharing your ideas, challenges and opportunities. The veterinary community is small, so let’s take advantage of each others’ experiences and wisdom.

Dr. Smith invites comments at dfs6@cornell.edu.