Who Can Mentor Minorities?

Abstract

The prestigious Iverson Bell Award is given by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) biennially in memory and recognition of Dr. Iverson Bell’s outstanding leadership and contributions in the promotion of opportunities for racially and ethnically underrepresented individuals in veterinary medical education. The first award was presented in 1988. Dr. Hanner is the 11th recipient of this honor. He follows in the legacy of previous awardees that include Drs. Billy Hooper, Walter Bowie, Alfonza Atkinson, and, most recently, Halcyon Watkins. These individuals have played significant roles in the recruitment, development, and retention of underrepresented pre-veterinary and DVM students, faculty, residents, and interns, as well as in the overall promotion of diversity in the veterinary profession. We are pleased to honor Dr. Tracy Hanner with the 2009 Iverson Bell Award, and we salute his work in leading many students to the veterinary profession. Undoubtedly a pioneer, Dr. Hanner wholeheartedly subscribes to the mentorship model of ‘‘reaching backwards and pulling upwards.’’ To this end, in 2005 Dr. Hanner’s selfless mentorship efforts were heralded by Minority Access, Inc. Dr. Hanner was recognized with the organization’s National Role Model Award for ‘‘exemplary achievements worthy of emulation,’’ and most notably his mentorship of over 4,000 students in comparative medicine, animal sciences, and veterinary medicine. More specifically, Dr. Hanner has been instrumental in teaching, advising, and mentoring over 50 minority students (and more than 100 from all racial and ethnic groups) who have matriculated into veterinary schools across the country. A practical teacher, Dr. Hanner brings real-world experiences to his classes. Dr. Hanner’s finesse and commitment as an educator par excellence are evident in the accomplishments of his students. His former students include five diplomates of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, three students who have matriculated into PhD programs, and four students who hold faculty appointments in veterinary and medical schools across the country. In 2001, the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta—the Honor Society of Agriculture—awarded Dr. Hanner the 2001 Teacher of the Year Award. An uncommon educator, Dr. Hanner’s classroom has no boundaries. The needs of his students often summon him to be a parent, counselor, and friend. He fulfills each role with immense professionalism and tangible concern. To no-one’s surprise, in 2004 Dr. Hanner was honored as the Advisor of the Year for the A&T School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. He is campus advisor to both the Pre-Veterinary Medical Club and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences. Most recently, Dr. Hanner co-conceived Animal Science Men on the Move, an organization aimed at creating student role models and developing leadership skills among male animal science students. A man of foresight and vision, Dr. Hanner led efforts to establish the North Carolina Laboratory Animal Scholars Program. Initiated in 1999–2000, this innovative collaboration between A&T and the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (UCSU-CVM) identifies qualified students enrolled at A&T and guarantees them admission to the veterinary college, provided they meet admissions requirements at the time of their graduation. An additional commitment to his alma mater includes his 17 years of service as a member of the NCSU-CVM’s admissions committee. Impressively, only five years after his graduation, the NCSU-CVM honored Dr. Hanner with the coveted Distinguished Alumni Award. Veterinary college administrators and admissions committees often offer the excuse of a ‘‘leaky pipeline’’ as an explanation for the lack of minority veterinarians. I reject this assertion, but, if the pipeline is indeed leaky, Tracy L. Hanner is a master plumber.