When future generations of family pets benefit from the care of Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and its alumni, they can thank a short-haired feist named Rocky.
Adopted by Drs. William “Bill” and Betty Reeves of Guin, Alabama, following their retirement, the four-legged companion left a mark on their lives that inspired their lasting support of the veterinary medicine program. The university honored their contributions by presenting the couple with the Vice President’s Pegasus Award at the recent All College Day on Mississippi State’s Starkville campus.
“Through planned gifts, the Reeves family is helping the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine provide quality educational experiences for students and ensure high quality care for our Animal Health Center’s patients, now and for many years to come,” explained Dean Kent Hoblet. “We are deeply appreciative of Bill and Betty’s commitment to advancing Mississippi State University.”
Both Bill and Betty Reeves graduated from Mississippi State. A native of Columbus, and Korean War veteran, he earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1961 before earning a master’s from the University of Mississippi and a doctorate from the University of Alabama. She earned a doctoral degree from MSU in 1971, having already completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama.
The couple devoted their careers to education, working in school systems in both Mississippi and Alabama, including time as faculty at Mississippi State before Bill became president of East Mississippi Community College. In retirement, they have continued to influence the lifelong learning of Northwest Alabama high school graduates by helping them explore college opportunities and find fitting majors, such as veterinary medicine.
For more information about MSU, visit msstate.edu or find it at @MSState on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Additional information about the College of Veterinary Medicine can be found at cvm.msstate.edu.
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