A Q&A with Dr. Paul Plummer
It has been twenty years since Dr. Paul Plummer (CVM ’00) completed his large animal internal medicine residency at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. The third-generation UTIA alumnus returned to Knoxville July 22, 2024 as Dean of the veterinary college. He answers a few questions after his first week on campus.
What were your first impressions during your first week on the job? Returning after 20 years has been an exhilarating experience, and I have so many great impressions, but the one that stands out the most is that the culture of a welcoming community that cares for others and treats them as individuals is still clearly present. That was something I very much appreciated when I was here previously, and I am very pleased to say that has not changed.
How have the campus and college changed since you were a student? Where to start? Well, perhaps the most obvious is the many additions that have been placed on the building since I left. The equine performance center, the expansion of the large animal and small animal hospitals, and most recently the Teaching and Learning Center. That said, the one that kind of hits closer to the heart is that my first-year classroom is now the POD. As I was standing in line to pay for my lunch the other day it dawned on me that almost exactly where the cash register sits currently was where I sat for my classes first year. Things have indeed changed. There were also a lot less cars back then.
Have you encountered any unexpected challenges? On the whole, nothing that I did not anticipate to one degree or another. Sure, some things are maybe a bit more complex or nuanced than I first thought, but my job is to lead us through those challenges, and I actually enjoy trying to help navigate through those.
Can you share some highlights or particularly memorable moments from your first week? Without a doubt, getting to reunite and get reacquainted with old and new friends has been the highlight. That includes getting to see some really great alumni and donors around the state. So many people in this state see what UTCVM does and are grateful and appreciative. It is my honor to get to hear those stories from them, and I want you to know that your work does matter, and it makes a difference in the lives of animals, people, communities, and farms around this state, country, and world.
How have your interactions been so far with students, and what do you hope to learn from them? Like everyone else, the students have been very welcoming and enthusiastic. This week I am diving into getting some time down in the hospital, and I look forward to visiting with the students there and watching them put their book knowledge into practice.
What’s at the top of your learning agenda? Spending some time in the various services, laboratories, and units throughout the college to learn more about the behind-the-scenes work that everyone does. That helps me better understand the challenges and opportunities that we have and gives me the opportunity to get to know folks and see them in their environment.
What excites you about being back? Seeing the enthusiasm and excitement as we think collectively about the future of UTCVM. Coming back during the 50th anniversary celebration adds so much more depth as we reflect on all that those who went ahead of us did to get us to the place we are today, and while that is really important, we need to use our strengths today as a springboard for developing a vision for where we want to go. We must guard against complacency, dream big, not be afraid, and then make it happen.
How many animals do you have? Well, it’s a pretty decent list if you count the barn and the house. When you have two veterinarians (my wife, Cassandra graduated from UTCVM in ’02) and five children, animals seem to constantly be making their way into our household. Currently 45 dairy goats, 18 beef cows, three dogs, four cats, a rabbit, and a tortoise.
Do you have any unexpected or hidden talents that would surprise people? When I have time (which was limited the last couple of years between family and work obligations), I enjoy fine woodworking and furniture making. Not sure I am really all that good at it, but I enjoy it and my family enjoys the products.
Bonus question: Cats vs Dogs – as pets, which team are you on, if any? That’s easy – Dogs.
More about Dean Plummer: Dr. Paul J. Plummer joined UTCVM after serving as the associate dean of research and graduate studies for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University as well as a professor and Anderson Endowed Chair in Veterinary Sciences in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine.
Plummer attributes his academic career in part to his early experiences growing up in both East Tennessee and Pennsylvania. As a youth, he spent his summers working cattle and goats on his family’s farm in Sevierville and lived there full-time during his undergraduate studies and while attending veterinary school. He also helped his uncle on veterinary farm calls. A third-generation University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumnus, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology in 1999 and earned his DVM from the UT College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. He and his family maintain active farms today.
