INSPIRE
Celebrating 10 years of the Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award
Five Iowa State University faculty and staff were honored at the 2022 Faculty-Staff Inspiration Awards on May 20, 2022, at the ISU Alumni Center. Faculty-Staff Inspiration Awards recognize current or former Iowa State faculty or staff who had a significant influence in their former students’ lives. The Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award Program is funded by the Nancy and Richard Degner ISU Alumni Association
Endowment. Nancy** (‘72 food science) and Rich** (‘72 agricultural & life sciences education, MS ‘77) are sustaining life donors to the ISU Alumni Association. Nominations are due Dec. 1 annually and can be submitted at www.ISUalum.org/Awards.
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COMPILED BY MELEA REICKS LICHT
Dr. Rachel Allbaugh** (‘00 ANIMAL SCIENCE, DVM ‘04) BOONE, IOWA
Assurance, support, and crucial guidance from Dr. Rachel Allbaugh have left her students inspired and motivated to pursue their professional goals. Allbaugh is an associate professor of ophthalmology; the Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed Professor in Veterinary Medicine; and associate chair for culture, inclusion, and diversity in the veterinary clinical sciences department. Allbaugh is involved in many organizations that strive to advance the veterinary world. She is a regularly published author and speaker at conferences across the country. Her area of expertise includes ophthalmic diseases in dogs, cats, horses, and other species. Allbaugh’s passion for veterinary medicine stems from her childhood cat who nearly went blind from eye disease. This sparked her passion for helping animals, understanding that a career spent educating others would maximize the number of animals that she could positively impact. Allbaugh gives students the chance to get hands-on experience, such as providing opportunities to shadow her on the clinic floor in their preclinical years and working closely with clinical year students on cases in the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. She facilitates an environment that radiates enthusiasm about veterinary medicine. “If you speak with anyone who knows Dr. Allbaugh, or simply seek a conversation with her, you will find a radiating enthusiasm that cannot be contained,” wrote nominator Dr. Taryn Overton (DVM ‘14). “Allbaugh has been a primary influence that has helped students navigate the path to achieving their goals. Beyond veterinary school, Dr. Allbaugh has been one of few constants in my life as I continued to aim for one of the more difficult specialties to enter. She has continued to propel me forward.” Only ISU degrees are listed
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