Dr. Wanda West, a 1988 graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is the recipient of the 2025 President’s Pegasus Award. A trailblazer in laboratory animal medicine, Dr. West has dedicated more than three decades to advancing animal welfare, scientific excellence, and mentorship.Board-certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, she has built an impressive career in the biopharmaceutical industry, serving as Global Animal Welfare Officer for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, where her leadership helped achieve multiple flawless AAALAC and USDA inspections. She also led efforts to promote public understanding of biomedical animal research and its role in One Health.A passionate educator, Dr. West has trained students and veterinarians through Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania and remains active in professional service through the AVMA and related organizations. A devoted supporter of MSU CVM, she continues to mentor students and give back to her alma mater.Dr. West exemplifies integrity, compassion, and leadership—values at the heart of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Harold and Joan Marie Corbin are the recipients of the 2025 Vice President’s Pegasus Award, honoring their generosity and lasting impact on the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.Their connection to MSU CVM began when their beloved Shih Tzu, Max, became a patient of the college’s ophthalmology service. Under the expert care of Dr. Caroline Betbeze and her team, Max’s sight was saved an experience that inspired the Corbins to give back in a remarkable way.In gratitude, they established an endowed professorship in ophthalmology to strengthen the program, support faculty and students, and enhance patient care for years to come. Their gift transforms appreciation into enduring impact, ensuring that families and pets continue to receive the same compassionate, high-quality care that touched their own lives. The Corbins’ generosity reflects the very best of the Bulldog spirit, turning kindness and gratitude into a legacy of care at MSU CVM.
Dr. Sharon Grace, a beloved educator, mentor, and feline medicine expert, is the recipient of the 2025 Dean’s Pegasus Award. For decades, Dr. Grace has been a guiding force at the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine, shaping generations of veterinarians and helping the college grow into a nationally recognized institution.Her contributions include developing the NAVLE review course that strengthened student success, creating The Feline Patient elective, and coauthoring one of the world’s leading feline medicine textbooks. Beyond teaching and clinical care, she founded the Safe Haven for Pets program, providing shelter for animals of domestic violence survivors—a program that has helped more than 250 pets find safety. A true servant leader, Dr. Grace’s legacy lives on through the students she’s mentored, the programs she’s built, and the compassion she’s shared.
The 2025 E. Wynn Jones Award for Exceptional Service honors Mrs. Anita Phillips for her outstanding dedication to the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. For nearly four decades at MSU, and 18 years at the CVM, Anita was the heart of the college’s community. She was often the first person new faculty and staff met, greeting everyone with warmth, kindness, and a lightning-fast response to any question. Her care for people, attention to detail, and genuine pride in her work made her an invaluable part of the CVM family. Even after retiring in July, Anita’s presence and legacy continue to shape the college she helped build. She exemplifies the spirit of service, community, and excellence that defined Dr. E. Wynn Jones himself.
The 2025 Dean’s Pegasus Award for Service honors Dr. Clay Ivey for his exceptional leadership, humility, and dedication to the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Animal Emergency & Referral Center. For nearly a decade, Dr. Ivey has led the emergency and critical care team with calm confidence and compassion, making life-saving decisions, mentoring students and staff, and creating an environment rooted in teamwork and respect. Known for his humility, he tackles every task, big or small, with the same commitment to excellence and care. Beyond his clinical skill, Dr. Ivey has improved hospital operations, implemented new training and treatment programs, and built a culture defined by kindness and service. His handwritten notes, encouragement, and quiet leadership remind everyone around him what true service looks like.
The 2025 Faculty Award for Research honors Dr. Eddie Meek for his outstanding contributions to toxicology and his dedication to advancing research that impacts public health and safety. An assistant research professor at MSU CVM, Dr. Meek has built a nationally recognized program focused on developing novel oxime compounds as chemical countermeasures—work that holds real-world potential to save lives in toxic exposure events. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jan Chambers, his research bridges scientific discovery and practical application. Dr. Meek serves as principal investigator on an NIH R21 grant and co-investigator on an NIH U01 grant—extraordinary achievements for a junior faculty member. Beyond his research, he is a valued mentor and collaborator, known for sharing his expertise and fostering a spirit of curiosity and excellence across the college.
The 2025 Faculty Award for Teaching is presented to Dr. Jason Lee, whose dedication to education, mentorship, and patient care has made a lasting impact on MSU CVM. Known for his patience, reliability, and commitment, Dr. Lee leads by example on the clinic floor—guiding students through complex cases, encouraging critical thinking, and ensuring they understand the “why” behind every decision. His approach to teaching extends beyond the classroom through journal clubs, book discussions, and one-on-one mentorship that foster curiosity and clinical reasoning. Always approachable and generous with his time, Dr. Lee creates an environment where students and residents feel supported, challenged, and inspired. His influence has shaped not only how our learners study medicine, but how they grow as professionals.
The C. Edward Couvillion, DVM, PhD Endowed Graduate Scholarship, established in 2007 by Linda Couvillion McGrath and family, honors Dr. Couvillion’s legacy of excellence in teaching, service, and research. A distinguished MSU CVM faculty member, Dr. Couvillion built a respected career in parasitology and wildlife health, served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, and was dedicated to his family and students alike. This year’s recipient, James Valentine, embodies those same values through his outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and research in veterinary parasitology. A DVM/PhD student, Valentine serves as president of the CVM chapter of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, has earned multiple research awards, and co-authored a peer-reviewed publication. His innovative work using advanced sequencing to study parasitic trematodes in American alligators holds important implications for animal health and agriculture.
The Zoetis Award for Research Excellence in Animal Health honors a faculty member whose research has achieved, or is poised to achieve, national or international recognition in the past three years. This year’s recipient, Dr. Hasan Tekedar, joined MSU CVM in 2022 and has quickly established himself as a leader in microbiology and genomics. His pioneering research on bacterial genomics, antimicrobial resistance, and aquaculture health integrates computational biology and host-pathogen studies to address global challenges in sustainable food systems. With over 30 peer-reviewed publications, multiple federal grants, and international collaborations spanning Africa, Asia, and Europe, Dr. Tekedar’s impact reaches far beyond the lab. He is also an exceptional mentor, recognized with the 2024–2025 Outstanding Graduate Student Advisor Award for his commitment to developing future scientists.
A 2025 Distinguished Staff Award is presented to Ginny Boyd Newell, necropsy technician in the CVM Diagnostic Lab. Known for her hard work, dependability, and compassion, Ginny plays an essential role in the lab’s daily operations. Her position is both physically demanding and emotionally challenging, yet she approaches each case with professionalism and care. She manages an impressive workload—often handling what other institutions require multiple people to do—while maintaining exceptional organization and precision. Beyond her technical excellence, Ginny is admired for her kindness, empathy, and mentorship of students. Her dedication ensures the necropsy lab runs smoothly and that every animal and client is treated with respect. Jill Hudnall is a recipient of a 2025 Distinguished Staff Award at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Jill first joined CVM during the COVID-19 pandemic, where her positive attitude, professionalism, and dedication immediately stood out. Starting as a student worker on the necropsy floor, she helped maintain safety and high standards of care through a challenging time. After graduation, she transitioned into a full-time role as a diagnostic laboratory technician and now serves as a research associate in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine and the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security. Known for her dependability, adaptability, and enthusiasm, Jill also contributes to scholarly work, fosters collaboration, and actively participates in outreach events.
Natoya Tate has been a cornerstone of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine for the past decade, earning recognition as a 2025 Distinguished Staff Award recipient. As the academic affairs representative for phase one of the DVM program, Natoya works tirelessly behind the scenes to support first- and second-year students, ensuring every detail is in place for their success. Over the last year, she has taken on the responsibilities once managed by two people—continuing to lead with grace, precision, and reliability. A lifelong learner, Natoya has already completed one master’s degree and is close to finishing another, reflecting her drive for growth and commitment to excellence. She embodies the steady dedication and quiet leadership that keep the college moving forward.
Alexis Lawson, recipient of a 2025 Distinguished Staff Award, began her journey at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine as a veterinary medical technology student and has grown into a vital member of the Animal Emergency and Referral Center team. Known for her compassion, skill, and leadership, Alexis ensures every patient receives the highest level of care while mentoring VMT students with patience and professionalism as both a charge nurse and rotation coordinator. Her dedication to animals, students, and her team truly reflects the excellence and heart of MSU CVM.
Contact: Livingston Sykes
