In a ceremony marked by milestone and meaning, Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine graduated its inaugural class Sunday (May 18), with 61 students receiving Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Among them, Kayla Wallace, a La Grange native with deep agricultural roots, was named the school’s first-ever valedictorian.
Held at the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium, the graduation signified more than personal triumph—it was a historic moment for Texas and a victory for underserved rural communities. Texas Tech’s veterinary school, which opened in 2021, is the second such institution in the state, following Texas A&M’s century-old program. It is now one of only 35 veterinary schools in the country.
Wallace, who earned both her bachelor’s (2020) and master’s (2021) degrees from Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, spoke of a lifelong journey that began on a small Jersey dairy farm in Fayette County and culminated in helping to lay the foundation for a pioneering educational venture.
“I knew that I wanted to attend a school that would prepare me to return to a rural or regional community in Texas or New Mexico,” Wallace said. “TTU’s School of Veterinary Medicine made that dream a reality.”
Michael Ballou, Wallace’s master’s advisor and chair of Texas Tech’s Department of Veterinary Sciences, noted, “I first met Kayla when she joined my lab as an undergraduate to help on our research projects. What impressed me the most was her work ethic and eagerness to learn. The same qualities I observed in Kayla continued during her master’s degree, she was able to complete all the coursework, research and write her thesis within one year,” he said. “Kayla also has a great personality and added a lot of fun to our lab group. I am not surprised that she graduated top of her class and I'm very proud of her.”
Wallace’s graduate research centered on nutritional strategies to improve gastrointestinal health of dairy calves.
Wallace'a sentiment reflects the school’s mission. According to university officials, nearly 95 percent of the first graduating class has accepted positions in rural or regional communities. Almost half are set to practice in areas west of Interstate 35, regions facing critical veterinary shortages. One-third of the graduates are first-generation college students.
Guy Loneragan, dean of the veterinary school, emphasized the collaborative spirit that shaped the program. “We were all in this educational journey together,” he said. “They helped solve problems, developed solutions, and embraced the school’s core values. Many found ways to give back to the community through their efforts.”
For Wallace, that communal attitude carries forward. Like many of her classmates, she is heading into practice with a mission: to serve areas often overlooked, drawing from both academic training and lived experience.
“This isn’t just a milestone for our class,” Wallace said. “It’s a step forward for rural veterinary medicine in Texas.”
CONTACT: Clint Krehbiel, Dean, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or Clint.Krehbiel@ttu.edu
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