Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
At my first White Coat Ceremony four years ago, the incoming students and I were both new enough that I could pull off an 'Undercover Boss'-style video. Now, four years later, I was able to watch those students graduate and chat with them about how veterinary school went (spoiler: it went very well).
You can see those interviews and more highlights from our Commencement in the latest A Minute with Mark video.
This year, we proudly celebrate more than 200 new veterinarians, residency-completing specialists, and Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Ph.D. degree recipients.
We also send a fond farewell to our guest commencement speaker and retiring Associate Dean of Professional Education Dr. Joie Watson. Dr. Watson had an extraordinary tenure as associate dean, leading the school through the pandemic curriculum changes and our recent successful reaccreditation.
She has been unflappable through it all and sent the new graduates into the world with the message that they are now all mentors themselves. “As a mentor,” she said, “you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be present.”
Dr. Watson had another message for them that you can hear at the end of the video. You can also see us and other members of the commencement stage party arriving in regalia by scooter. Always wear your mortarboard with proper head protection!
Congratulations to all of our graduates (and to their families, mentors, and teachers). It’s been great growing with you these past four years—I am proud of you all.
At my first White Coat Ceremony four years ago, the incoming students and I were both new enough that I could pull off an 'Undercover Boss'-style video. Now, four years later, I was able to watch those students graduate and chat with them about how veterinary school went (spoiler: it went very well).
You can see those interviews and more highlights from our Commencement in the latest A Minute with Mark video.
This year, we proudly celebrate more than 200 new veterinarians, residency-completing specialists, and Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Ph.D. degree recipients.
We also send a fond farewell to our guest commencement speaker and retiring Associate Dean of Professional Education Dr. Joie Watson. Dr. Watson had an extraordinary tenure as associate dean, leading the school through the pandemic curriculum changes and our recent successful reaccreditation.
She has been unflappable through it all and sent the new graduates into the world with the message that they are now all mentors themselves. “As a mentor,” she said, “you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be present.”
Dr. Watson had another message for them that you can hear at the end of the video. You can also see us and other members of the commencement stage party arriving in regalia by scooter. Always wear your mortarboard with proper head protection!
Congratulations to all of our graduates (and to their families, mentors, and teachers). It’s been great growing with you these past four years—I am proud of you all.
