I know I’m in good company when I say this has been the most challenging and rewarding year of my career. I am in awe of our people and the passion and innovation they have demonstrated day after day during the coronavirus pandemic. They immediately began to search for solutions to the largest public health crisis we’ve ever seen. Candace Mathiason said it perfectly: “This is what we’ve been training for most of our careers. When we saw it happening, we thought, here it is. I can have an impact. I can make a difference.”
Our cover story examines the pandemic-proof practices developed by our researchers both before and during this pandemic. Other stories in this issue explore the heroic efforts of our veterinarians, faculty, students, and staff in continuing the College’s teaching and service under adverse conditions. Our vet techs learned to take patient histories in the parking lot. Our faculty and staff teamed up to sew masks and make hand sanitizer. Our first-year students enrolled even though the year was fraught with uncertainty. And our essential workers showed up early and left late while they were caring for loved ones at home.
Thank you. You are all heroes. We are all essential.
Dr. Mark Stetter
The voices of our college
Videos produced by Chris Haase and Ben Ward