![[Dr. Anita Kalonaros at the White Coat Ceremony]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/anitak-feature-260x157.jpg)
‘Come on, let’s go’ Anita Kalonaros has been chasing her dream of becoming a veterinarian for as long as she can remember. “I think it’s something I’ve always said my entire life,” the Long Island, N.Y., native reflects. “I’m not sure there was ever a specific moment. We have papers from when I was in...
![[Dr. Taylor Willis, 2020 veterinary graduate]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/willis-feature-260x157.jpg)
Travel Abroad ‘Can Accelerate Your Education’ Taylor J. Willis insists she didn’t enroll at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine so she could see the world. It just turned out that way. Malaysia, Brazil, South Africa, Australia – through externships, spring break excursions, conferences and job shadow opportunities, Willis has circled the globe...
![[Dr. Robin Downing and her dog Tommy]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/news-downing-award-260x157.jpg)
Dr. Downing with Tommy The American Veterinary Medical Association recently honored Dr. Robin Downing, Class of 1986, as the winner of the 2020 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award. The award is one of veterinary medicine’s highest honors, recognizing the outstanding work of veterinarians in protecting and promoting the human-animal bond. Its namesake,...
![[Terry and Judy Rathgeber in 2003]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/terryrathgeber-260x157.jpg)
Terry Rathgeber, former associate dean for development and alumni affairs, passed away on Tuesday, April 21. Rathgeber grew the college’s advancement, alumni relations, and communications services over more than three decades. He seemed to know every veterinary student during his tenure, and maintained relationships with them as alumni and practitioners, often playing headhunter to match...
![[Dr. Peter Sakas]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/peter-sakas2-260x157.jpg)
‘Pete was a giant!’ Faculty and alumni of the College of Veterinary Medicine were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Peter Sakas, a 1983 veterinary graduate and owner of Niles Animal Hospital, on March 31 of a COVID-19-related illness. We join with so many in the veterinary and animal-loving community to remember...
![[cow with calf]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/news-evp-beef2-feature-260x157.jpg)
EVP Beef Starts in July 2020 The University of Illinois, in collaboration with Iowa State University, is accepting registrations for the Executive Veterinary Program (EVP) in Beef Cattle Health Management. The early registration deadline is April 5 for the course that starts in July 2020 and concludes in September 2021. For nearly 30 years, EVP...
![[Dr. Borje Gustafsson and Dr. Howard Whitmore]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/obit-gustafsson-cow-260x157.jpg)
He Promoted International Collaborations We are saddened to share the news of the death last night of Dr. Borje K. Gustafsson, a former department head at our college and an international leader in veterinary education and theriogenology. He was 89 years old. We will share details regarding services when they are made known to us....
![[K.T. Wright, Joe Connor, Peter Constable]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/news-kt-wright-room-260x157.jpg)
EVP room named for K.T. Wright On December 5, Dr. Kenneth “K.T.” Wright thought he was attending an event at which his long-time business partner and friend Dr. Joe Connor would receive an award from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Instead, he himself was the surprise guest of honor at a celebration...
![[Michael Kinsel; Daniel Skirvin; Celeste Kappes]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/news-2019alumawards-260x157.jpg)
Annual Awards Recognize Contributions The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and its alumni association recently announced the winners of the 2019 awards, which will be presented on September 19 at Silvercreek Restaurant in Urbana, Ill. Dr. Michael Kinsel, a 1993 alumnus of the college and current faculty member, is the recipient of the...
![[Victor E.O. 'Ted' Valli]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/news-valli-memoriam-260x157.jpg)
Brilliant, World-renowned, Gracious Dr. Victor E.O. “Ted” Valli, who served as the fifth dean of our college from 1990 to 2001, passed away on August 9 in Visalia, Calif. We remember him as deeply committed to veterinary students, a mentor to more than 30 master’s and PhD students, a tireless researcher and diagnostician who made...