Looking Back

Article Outline

• Copyright

By the time you read this Editorial, I will be at my office at the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky. One of our employees at Colorado State University (CSU) caught me during my final days at CSU and wanted to interview me regarding my career there. She asked some very good questions, one of which was, “What are you most proud of accomplishing during your career?” It did not take me long to come up with an answer. Having been involved in training over 100 graduate students has certainly been one of my greatest accomplishments, and one of which I am most proud. It is rewarding to follow the career of these students after they have finished their degree. Almost every place I travel, I am able to see some of my former students.

Other accomplishments that provide a feeling of pride are the many reproductive techniques that were developed at CSU in the past 30 years and that are now routine procedures in the horse industry. These techniques include frozen semen, embryo transfer, cooled semen, and so forth. The program at CSU is quite unique in that teaching, research, clinical service, and continuing education all take place in the same facility with the same faculty. I have had the privilege of teaching thousands of breeders and veterinarians. Lastly, acquiring funds for renovation and construction of new facilities has been a challenge, but one with great rewards.

My advice to young people has always been to work hard, be a good team player, and leave the place better than when you came.