By Kathleen Swanda, University Relations intern

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 27 - April 6, 1995

An attraction to the rural lifestyle he grew up with may have enticed Thomas Massie to spend his future working with animals, but he is not sure what exactly brought him to study veterinary medicine. While the motives for his career goals may be unclear, his academic accomplishments are not. Massie has been selected as the Outstanding Senior in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Massie grew up working on his family's farm. Before he arrived at Virginia Tech, he knew he loved working with animals, but was unsure of what career he would pursue. He majored in physics first, but soon realized that wasn't for him.

Massie was attracted to veterinary medicine through an old roommate, whose father was a veterinarian. Lengthy discussions with the veterinarian piqued his own interest and led him to his chosen field.

Massie enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 1991. There he studied and worked with large animals. At the end of his first year in graduate school, he recieved the Washington Animal Rescue League Scholarship for outstanding performance in his academic work.

Massie mentored with a veterinary scholar at the Loudon County Veterinary Service in Purcellville. There, he received more practical knowledge of veterinary medicine from "hands-on" experience.

Massie hopes to open his own practice one day back in his home town in Northern Virginia. He looks forward to returning to the family farm where he can work with his father once again.

Looking back at his eight years at Virginia Tech, Massie said he wished he had been a more active student during his early undergraduate years, and been more involved with animal science.