PC seniors earn spots at UGA School of Veterinary Medicine

April 25, 2006

Shortly after receiving a puppy for her fifth birthday, Rachael Bodiford knew her ultimate education goal would be to earn a spot in veterinary school.

"I had wanted to be either an astronaut or a veterinarian up to that point, and then veterinary work just took over," said Bodiford, a resident of Williston, S.C. "I was the child who wanted to take home every stray dog and cat she saw."

The Presbyterian College senior's hard work paid off this spring when she earned one of just 16 coveted "at large" spots for new students at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Her elation grew at the news that another member of PC's class of 2006, Wesley Campbell of Greenville, S.C., earned a second of the college's national "at large" spots.

Those accomplishments alone would be a huge feather in the PC science department's cap. The fact that a third biology major, Margaret Sams, was accepted to the UGA Veterinary School as a Georgia resident has the PC biology faculty walking on air.

"PC continues to be extremely fortunate to be able to attract the high quality of student that these three represent," PC professor of biology and department chair Mike Rischbieter said. "There is no question that their attaining their goal is in large part due to their amazing work ethic, and ability to multitask: Wesley as a star player on the women's basketball team for the past four years; Rachael completing a double major in two of the most challenging departments on campus; and Margaret keeping a busy volunteer work schedule at a vet clinic while doing degree work here."

Campbell said the fact that three PC classmates - out of 30 graduating biology majors in 2006 - will be among just 96 new students at one of the nation's most competitive veterinary schools is a credit to the faculty in Richardson Science Hall.

"The science faculty does a fantastic job preparing us, as students, for future schooling," said Campbell, whose career path was planned while growing up on her grandmother's farm. "The classes I took were very tough and prepared me for what is to come. The personal relationship I made with some of the faculty allowed me to better understand the material and even learn more about my interests and myself."

Sams, a resident of Fayetteville, Ga. who as a young girl sensed a desire to care for animals, "found the passion to become a vet my freshmen year of college" and also praised the PC science faculty for "giving me encouragement when I needed it, pushing me academically, and being there when I needed guidance. They have shown me that hard work and perseverance pays off."

Rischbieter, who served as Campbell's faculty advisor, assisted in planning her academic course strategy and advising her on veterinary school choices. He joined other members of the biology department and a local veterinarian in a mock interview to prepare Campbell.

"We continue to offer our students challenging, relevant courses that prepare them for professional schools such as veterinary school, medical school, and dental school. Our majors have also had great success in getting into a variety of graduate school programs as well," Rischbieter said. "There is no question we give our all for our students. We want them to succeed at the highest level, and are all willing to do whatever it takes to get that accomplished."

The University of Georgia offers a doctorate in veterinary medicine, as well as post-doctoral training of interns and residents. It also offers master's degrees in anatomy and avian medicine, and both master's and Ph.D. degrees in physiology, pharmacology, pathology, parasitology, and medical microbiology.

More than 550 students annually apply for admission to the college.

"I am a little surprised that there are three of us going to UGA in the fall simply because there are so few slots in the class and, comparatively, PC has small graduating classes of biology and chemistry majors. However, we have been well prepared and the three of us have worked hard," said Bodiford, who will graduate with a double major in biology and chemistry.

Sams said she is planning to go into private practice and will work on both large and small animals. Campbell is uncertain how she will use her veterinary degree, but added that "my passion lies in animals, so I know I want to be somewhere bettering the lives of animals."

As for Bodiford, she's ready to trade up on that birthday puppy.

"In an ideal world I would be begged to come on staff at a zoo where I could deliver baby tiger cubs and fix up the injured polar bear, but those jobs are few and far between," she said. "I also have ideas to open my own veterinary clinic at home in Barnwell County. But who knows? At this point I am open to new ideas and options.

"Veterinary medicine combines two fields that fascinate me - animal science and medicine. Also veterinarians not only help the animals that they treat, but since those animals are a part of a 'family' that loves them, I also will have the opportunity to enrich the lives of the pet owners. Making people happy - that is what it is all about.