UNL Elite Eleven Program participants look to fill a void in animal production veterinary science

BEATRICE – Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen Monday honored the University of Nebraska students accepted into the Elite Eleven program….where up to 25 first-time freshmen receive scholarship support to become food animal veterinarians.

In exchange, they commit to being a veterinarian in Nebraska for eight years. They will work toward a degree in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, going on to four years in veterinary school.

Pillen says there is a shortage of food animal veterinarians in livestock…a $6 billion industry in the state. "This program is a leader in the United States. Every state's been trying to figure out how do we solve this problem. This program will solve the problem of not having enough food animal veterinarians...and as you meet all the recipients, very, very intentional....very important that we have kids from rural Nebraska that understand what it's like to live in rural Nebraska."

Pillen, a hog producer with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University, told the students at a news conference he flunked his first test in biology, while at Nebraska…and remembers what his advisory told him.  "He said, what do you want to be...do you wanna be a football player or a veterinarian...obviously, you can't do both. The reason dreams are helpful, I went home that day ...thought about it, had to do practice and I was studying that night and I finally said, well the heck with Dr. Grace...I can do both. Having that north star of a dream....that's while you'll all be successful."

Sydney Hutchinson, of West Point…is one of the students accepted into the Elite Eleven program. She formerly applied for the early admissions program at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, but came to Nebraska after the Elite Eleven program was started. She said the program addresses a concern of students…the high debt load that comes with the study of veterinary medicine.

"The next generation of production animal veterinarians In Nebraska are going to be strong leaders, who take pride in what they do...and that's all thanks to the Elite Eleven program. On behalf of my classmates, I would like to thank you once again for this incredible opportunity....and, as Chris Kabourek has mentioned before, friends don't let friends go to Kansas State...thank you."  Hutchinson’s comments led Governor Pillen to say…."Thank you, Governor Hutchinson, that was incredible. Holy cow, it's unbelievable."

Tiffany Heng-Moss is Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. She said there are 19 members of this Elite Eleven program class.
"This is truly a one-of-a-kind program. It offers an amazing opportunity for students who have a passion for agriculture and animal care, to pursue a career as an animal production veterinarian, without the burden of student debt."

Part of the process for the students will be mentoring by those in the field and internships with Nebraska animal production veterinarians. Heng-Moss said practicing veterinarians in the state have been instrumental in getting the program going.