I am currently enrolled at Virginia Tech/Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine as a dual-degree student working toward a PhD in biomedical and veterinary sciences and a doctorate of veterinary medicine. I am working on the development of a vaccine for TB and Brucellosis in the PhD portion of the program. This requires Bio-Safety Level 3 Lab clearance and training along with FBI clearance. Needless to say there are many job hazards, and it is very tedious work, but it is also very rewarding. In a few years I will begin veterinary school, specializing in food animal medicine, and I will graduate in 2020 with a PhD and a DVM. Combining these degrees and the careers they offer fuels my passion for science and medicine that was molded at Ferrum College. Science explains life, while medicine sustains it. I hope to take these degrees and work for the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, military, or government.
None of this would have been possible without the career I had as an undergraduate at Ferrum College. The success of many of my classmates/friends and myself show that Ferrum is well-equipped to prepare students to reach their goals. Ferrum faculty members pour their lives into their students, and the students pour themselves into each other. The Ferrum community not only brings a bright new chapter to life but also provides the foundation for successful futures. The dedication of the faculty and staff produced great networking alliances and unique opportunities that made my story a success. I would not have been able to make it this far without the hands-on training, knowledge, and faculty investment that I received at Ferrum. The students that I work with here in graduate school recognize and comment on how well prepared I am. I have noticed others struggle with their lack of development, and it is nice to know that I am ready for what is expected of me at this level. Ferrum’s educational environment is rich in opportunities for leadership development, hands-on training, and growth. I will always be thankful that I choose to graduate from Ferrum College!
Grant Waldrop is enrolled at Virginia Tech/Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine as a dual-degree student working toward a PhD in biomedical and veterinary sciences and a doctorate of veterinary medicine. He graduated from Ferrum College in 2014 with degrees in biology and pre-professional science and a minor in chemistry.