Class of 2008, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, English Equestrian and Biology Major
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.

“I looked at Findlay on a whim,” said senior Emily Gordon about her decision to attend the University. “I went to a horse show and found out about the school by picking up a brochure at a table. I realized I could do pre-vet and equestrian, and I liked that I would get to ride and do the equestrian program here and still prepare to go to veterinary school.”

She fell in love with the school, and four years later, is graduating with a triple major, an honors diploma, a long list of academic and extracurricular accomplishments on her résumé and plans to attend the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University.

Gordon cited her academic adviser Linda Peck, D.V.M., and dressage instructor Janet Harms as influential people on her path to success. “Dr. Peck is one of those people you can go to with any question. Having somebody who knows the insides of applying to vet school was really helpful.” Gordon has worked as Peck’s student assistant while attending UF, as well.

Of her dressage instructor, Gordon said, “Janet is so supportive, and she helps you reach the goals you set for yourself. She has always been a firm believer in me and my horse and the potential we have. I’ll miss seeing her every day after I graduate.”

As a four-year member of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) riding team at UF and former co-president, Gordon received hands-on experience in preparing for and executing a horse show. The team hosts two IDA shows a year, and Gordon was responsible for coordinating horses and team assignments, barn organization and clean-up and work assignments.

The highlight of her four years on the team, though, was qualifying for national competition her sophomore year. The team traveled to St. Andrew’s College in North Carolina and earned fourth place at the national level. “We worked through the whole season, and to win at nationals was a proud moment for all of us.”

While Gordon had plenty of opportunities to improve her riding skills, she also had opportunities to improve her academic skills. “The honors classes I’ve taken have pushed me to explore different fields outside of my focus and gain a broader understanding of areas such as humanities and history.” For her final honors research project, however, Gordon chose to focus on her pre-veterinary and equestrian studies.

“This experience has allowed me to gain hands-on experience in the laboratory where I have utilized several techniques that I’ve learned throughout my science courses at Findlay. It’s also given me the opportunity to learn how to design and conduct a scientific experiment in a field that interests me,” said Gordon, who was selected to present her project at the Symposium for Scholarship and Creativity in April.

At the same event, she was named one of two outstanding pre-veterinary students of the year, an honor that is given only to the most exceptional students.

Looking to her future, Gordon is confident that she is ready for veterinary school. She said that her classes such as animal science, animal handling, small animal medicine and livestock production and management gave her valuable knowledge in areas where she had little, and her knowledge of those subjects helped her do well at her veterinary school admissions interview.

“I couldn’t envision myself in a better place. I’ve met a lot of people at UF that have really helped shape me into who I am and where I came from and where I’m heading in life.”

And if her past is any indication, where she’s headed is looking great.