Temple Grandin receives honorary degree from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine

From left: Bonnie Rush, Hodes family dean; James Roush, associate dean for academic programs and student success; Grandin; and Richard Linton, K-State president (Image courtesy of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine)

Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (K-State) announced it presented Temple Grandin, PhD, MS, with an honorary degree during its commencement ceremony. Grandin is a world-renowned autism spokesperson and animal behavior expert in the livestock industry.

"Grandin has had a profound impact on the veterinary profession including our very own livestock facilities in the Veterinary Health Center," said Bonnie Rush, Hodes family dean, in an organizational release.¹ "She is the world's foremost leader in food animal welfare and handling, and she has made significant contributions to the welfare of many other species. She has had a tremendous positive influence on animal welfare practices within the livestock industry."

In 1970, Grandin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Franklin Pierce College and then pursued a Master of Science in animal science from Arizona State University in 1975. Grandin then earned her doctorate in animal science from the University of Illinois in 1989, and is now a professor of animal science at Colorado State University.

According to the release,¹ the presentation of the honorary degree was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents, and Richard Linton, president of K-State, bestowed the degree during the commencement exercises of the college’s class of 2023 graduates, where she served as the commencement speaker.

"I'm really honored and at this stage of my life right now — I'm way past retirement age, so the thing I want to do is inspire the next generation to go out and change things," expressed Grandin. "I couldn't go to veterinary school when I was a student. I can't do higher math, so I couldn't complete the prerequisites for trained veterinarians. I passed standard veterinary physiology and endocrinology courses, but I worry that some of the requirements, such as advanced algebra, may screen out some of the best veterinarians in the future.

Grandin is a world-renowned livestock equipment manager and animal advocate. She was recognized as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people within the hero category. Grandin is also the author of multiple books, including "Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism," which inspired, "Temple Grandin" the 2010 HBO film starring Claire Danes.

Grandin will be a keynote speaker at the dvm360® Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference taking place October 9-11, 2023. She will take the stage with Marty Becker, DVM, founder of Fear Free to discuss looking after the emotional well-being of animals. Later in the year, she will also be a keynote speaker at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California from December 1-3, 2023.

Reference

K-State veterinary college presents Temple Grandin with honorary degree. News release. Kansas State University. May 16, 2023. Accessed May 30, 2023. https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2023-05/Temple-Grandin-honorary-degree51623.html