Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the college’s first graduating class with a two-day Pegasus Gala Oct. 14 and 15.
In 1981, CVM conferred doctor of veterinary medicine degrees on 25 new graduates. Thirty years and more than 1,300 graduates later, the college is welcoming its first graduating class back to enjoy the Pegasus Gala, a celebration including dinner and tailgating, fellowship and tours, and performances by special guest Jack Hanna.
“It was a landmark decision to bring a veterinary college to Mississippi,” said Julie Burt, CVM clinical services coordinator and gala organizer. “This gala will celebrate the original class and all of our faculty and staff who have made each graduating class possible through the years.”
The Pegasus Gala will feature special appearances by Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium and host of “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild” (a nationally syndicated television show), and the just-launched “Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown.”
Made possible through the support of Nutramax Labs Inc., Hanna’s visit to MSU-CVM will include an event for invited Starkville-area school children on Oct. 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the CVM Auditorium. Due to limited seating, only classes invited prior to the event may attend. The show will also be broadcast live to the CVM website, and all are invited to watch via cvm.msstate.edu.
Hanna’s show, featuring exotic animals, is part of this year’s annual Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series sponsored by Nestle-Purina. Hanna will also bring his exotic animals to the Hunter Henry Center on Oct. 14 for a performance at a Gala dinner for invited guests only beginning at 6:30 p.m.
On Oct. 15, CVM alumni and faculty will witness the unveiling of plans for a memorial garden on the grounds that will honor the first graduating class. On that morning, the CVM will be open to the public for tours beginning at 9 a.m. Additionally, the CVM will host a tailgate party before MSU’s football game against the University of South Carolina.
“We’re so proud of our founding faculty and our first graduating class,” said CVM Dean Kent Hoblet. “They led the way for all those who came after them, and we’re happy to see them back here on campus.”
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