2010 (PDF) - The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University

A Commitment
to Excellence
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University
hosted the 21st annual Leadership Program for Veterinary
Students this year. The program’s tradition of
excellence has drawn thousands of applicants, but only
486 of the most promising students representing 59
veterinary colleges, have been selected to participate.
Although the life experiences, culture, and academic
background of program scholars are diverse, all have
distinguished themselves in a variety of professional
and personal pursuits. They are highly motivated individuals
who have the potential to excel as research
scientists and public health professionals.
Douglas D. McGregor, MD, DPhil
Program Director
4 www.vet.cornell.edu/oge/leadership
Research is the centerpiece of the Leadership Program.
Program scholars pursue individual projects under the
guidance of Cornell faculty members, who are successful
scientists and experienced mentors. Their investigations
are conducted in state-of-the-art facilities within
the unsurpassed intellectual environment of Cornell, an
Ivy League university located in the scenic Finger Lakes
region of New York State. Program scholars also participate
in modules and workshops. Topics include emerging
infectious diseases and biodefense, leadership
and its attendant responsibilities, and modules which
illustrate leadership and employment opportunities for
veterinary graduates in the academy, government and
industry. The aim is to empower participating students
to make informed decisions about graduate education
and their careers. Promoting creativity and critical
thinking, and the development of teamwork and communication
skills are additional goals of the program.
The Leadership Program has fulfi lled its principal
objective—to provide veterinary students with learning
experiences that both clarify and reinforce their commitment
to careers in science. At a strategic level, the
desired outcomes are to strengthen the infrastructure
of academic veterinary science; to promote discovery
through research, and by doing so to contribute broadly
to the veterinary profession and the biomedical sciences
at large. A legacy of the program has been a growing
network of alumni who have the motivation to assist one
another and more junior colleagues.