Record Registration Marks 2000 Fall Conference

Attendance at the 2000 Annual Fall Conference, held October 4 and 5, reached an all-time high of 306 practitioners. Nearly 500 registrants, speakers, faculty, students, and guests took part in the 42 continuing education sessions or attended lunches or the banquet.

After lunch on Thursday, the Class of '52 presented its first annual scholarship. Class member Dr. Robert Whalen presented the $2,000 award to third-year veterinary student George Eales. The scholarship goes to an outstanding student who plans to enter into food animal practice.

Next Dr. Barbara Ann Hanek-Reshke ('90), Alumni Association president, called the annual meeting to order. She named Dr. Rhea Volk Morgan ('76) as the recipient of the Dr. Erwin Small Veterinary Achievement Award, which recognizes excellence in practice, teaching, research, or involvement in organized veterinary medicine. Dr. Morgan, who is boarded in veterinary ophthalmology and veterinary internal medicine, is chief of staff at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, Mass. Her long and distinguished career includes appointments at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, and Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, Mass.

Dr. Kenneth W. Albrecht ('67) received the Service Award in recognition of meritorious service to the veterinary profession. Dr. Albrecht practices in Newton and Olney, Ill. Dr. Albrecht has been active in organized veterinary medicine at the regional, state, and national level. He has served as president and treasurer of the Southern Illinois Veterinary Medical Association and currently chairs the Board of Directors of the Illinois State VMA as well as serves as SIVMA representative there.

The Alumni Merit Award went to Dr. Brian J. Gerloff (MSU DVM '78, PhD '85), owner since 1985 of Seneca Bovine Services in Marengo, Ill. The merit award is given in recognition of Dr. Gerloff's accomplishments in practice, contributions to the progress of veterinary medicine, and good citizenship and community service. He has published articles and chapters and given invited lectures in dairy nutrition throughout his career. In addition, he has been active in his community through service to the school board, 4-H Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, and more.

Dr. J.B. Bruederle ('91) is the 2000-01 president of the Alumni Association.

At the Thursday evening banquet, third-year student Natalie Marks and second-year student Abe Trone received $1,000 scholarships from the Auxiliary of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. The scholarships, which are funded by auction proceeds and donations, are awarded on the basis of a written application, financial need, and extracurricular activities. Silent and live auctions during the banquet raised nearly $5,000 for the scholarship fund.

Dr. Robert Whalen and George Eales

Drs. Brian J. Gerloff, Barbara Ann Hanek-Reshke, Rhea Volk Morgan, and Kenneth W. Albrecht

Natalie Marks and Abe Trone

Students, Employers Connect at Fall Conference
For the first time at Illinois, annual Fall Conference formally brought together veterinary students about to enter the job market and veterinary employers with positions available. Skill-building workshops for students and employers culminated in a well-attended job fair the evening before Fall Conference began.

Forty employers attended the job fair at the Urbana Holiday Inn, representing private small, exotic, large, and mixed animal practices; national corporate veterinary organizations; and government and nonprofit organizations. They came from throughout Illinois and from as far away as Massachusetts and Minnesota. Earlier that day 27 veterinary employers had attended a workshop on "How to Attain, Train and Retain Key Employees," led by Dr. Doug Yanik, assistant dean of Academic and Student Affairs; Dr. Sheldon Rubin ('68), owner/director of Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago; and Dr. Christine Merle ('96), from the College Continuing Education-Public Service group.

More than 75 veterinary and veterinary technician students visited the job fair. On the Saturday before, about half these students had attended a two-hour workshop on resume-writing and interviewing skills led by Dr. Merle and a speaker from the Campus Career Center.

Students and employers counted the inaugural job fair a success.

"I thought it was great," says fourth-year student Ann Griffin. "It made me excited again about getting out into practice." Employers came away with several resumes for openings in their practice or organization.

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs worked hard to organize the job fair and related workshops. Snacks and refreshments at the job fair were paid for through exhibitor fees and a grant from Ralston Purina.