Outstanding alumni of Mississippi State University (MSU) were recognized by the MSU Alumni Association at its annual awards event on April 29, 2022. Dr. Mark A. Akin was selected to be Alumnus of the Year for 2022 from the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Akin received his BS Degree from Mississippi State in 1982 and his DVM in 1986. He is a 1977 graduate of Shannon High School, Shannon, Miss.
Dr. Akin has been in Equine Sports Medicine Practice for 36 years. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Horse Council. Within the AAEP he has served on several committees including The Equine Welfare and Public Policy Committee, Show Horse Committee, and The Purchase Committee. Dr. Akin is also active with The Foundation for The Horse.
Akin said he “chose MSU because of the quality of education I knew I would receive. The Academic Program was and continues to be the best in the world. I work with veterinarians all over the USA and the World; that represents a lot of veterinary schools. I believe MSU produces the most qualified, sought after graduates – period. MSU graduates not only know why, they know how.”
The people who have influenced him the most are John Tomlinson, who was his pre-vet advisor, and his wife, Dr. Carol Akin.
What led him to the study of veterinary medicine? “For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a passion for horses,” he said. “I loved everything about them. As I grew, I was able to work for different horse trainers, which also allowed me to work around different veterinarians. I’ve always been at ease around a horse; they tend to calm me down and I’ve never had a fear of them.”
Akin is a donor of multiple MSU CVM Scholarships, including The Drs. Mark and Carol Akin Equine Scholarship, The Dr. Carol Akin Feline Scholarship, The Drs. Mark and Carol Akin Equine Client Consultation Room, and a new project working with the MSU CVM Foundation to establish a student break room, food pantry, and exercise area, which will also have a staff psychologist on duty. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity,” he commented.
Akin Veterinary Services is located at 383 Tarren Mill Circle W. in Collierville, Tenn. Dr. Akin and his wife Carol reside in Collierville, Tenn.
For more information on the association, visit www.alumni.msstate.edu.
Dr. Akin has been in Equine Sports Medicine Practice for 36 years. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Horse Council. Within the AAEP he has served on several committees including The Equine Welfare and Public Policy Committee, Show Horse Committee, and The Purchase Committee. Dr. Akin is also active with The Foundation for The Horse.
Akin said he “chose MSU because of the quality of education I knew I would receive. The Academic Program was and continues to be the best in the world. I work with veterinarians all over the USA and the World; that represents a lot of veterinary schools. I believe MSU produces the most qualified, sought after graduates – period. MSU graduates not only know why, they know how.”
The people who have influenced him the most are John Tomlinson, who was his pre-vet advisor, and his wife, Dr. Carol Akin.
What led him to the study of veterinary medicine? “For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a passion for horses,” he said. “I loved everything about them. As I grew, I was able to work for different horse trainers, which also allowed me to work around different veterinarians. I’ve always been at ease around a horse; they tend to calm me down and I’ve never had a fear of them.”
Akin is a donor of multiple MSU CVM Scholarships, including The Drs. Mark and Carol Akin Equine Scholarship, The Dr. Carol Akin Feline Scholarship, The Drs. Mark and Carol Akin Equine Client Consultation Room, and a new project working with the MSU CVM Foundation to establish a student break room, food pantry, and exercise area, which will also have a staff psychologist on duty. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity,” he commented.
Akin Veterinary Services is located at 383 Tarren Mill Circle W. in Collierville, Tenn. Dr. Akin and his wife Carol reside in Collierville, Tenn.
For more information on the association, visit www.alumni.msstate.edu.
