Tammy Blake

What do you do?

I mostly work with the kids here who are wanting to become veterinarians. I’m involved with the Davis-Michael Scholars Program. I basically make sure all the scholarship applications and everything gets sent to where it needs to go. I make sure the students know all the deadlines. We also give scholarships to students who go to vet school. I have to keep track of all that and make sure of where everybody is going and the checks get to the right place. I set up things like mock interviews, etiquette dinners and annual veterinary career day. I take care of the tutoring program that Davis-Michel does. I set up bus trips that take students applying to Mississippi State, a contract school, down to interview. And students who aren’t interviewing but want to tour the school can go. And we stop at Virginia Tech, which is the other contract school, and take tours of the town and campus while the students are interviewing. I love it. I’m on a bus with all these students, and they’re great. They are top of the line kids. They want to be professionals.

I love being there from the beginning. It’s wonderful to be part of seeing their dreams come true.

If you weren’t working at WVU, what’s the most likely alternative?

I think I would have become a teacher. I like to help. I like to teach people things that will help them in their lives.

Moment you knew what you wanted to do:

I can’t say there’s a moment. I think I’ve always known that I like helping people. So any position that I can be in where I can help and direct people to the right resources and where they need to go, that’s what I love to do.

Moment you knew your current role was right for you:

The first time I had a student run to me yelling she had got into vet school, hugging me. And when I asked her what her parents said, she answered, “I haven’t told them yet! I had to tell you first!”

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I’d stay in West Virginia; it’s got my heart. I grew up in Clarksburg, so I’ve not gone far from home. I’ve been to Russia and different places all over the country, but there’s nothing like coming home to West Virginia.

Favorite part of social distancing:

Not a lot. I miss the day-to-day little talks with my students. I set up a Zoom meeting every Friday at 6 p.m. that’s called “Time Together.” My students and I get on Zoom and we talk about anything they want to talk about, so I can keep up with their lives.

Least favorite part of social distancing:

Not being able to be in contact with people. Not having that day-to-day physical contact if a student needs a hug or comes down for a piece of candy or whatever. That’s what I think I miss the most.