Class of 2025 Commencement
Friday, May 16, 2025
Stephens Auditorium, Ames, Iowa
Commencement Speaker:
Karen Shaw Becker, DVM, CVH, CVA, CCRT
True Fulfillment: How Core Values Drive Lifelong Success
Karen Shaw Becker is a veterinarian, animal advocate, educator, and multiple New York Times best-selling author. Her career has spanned private practice, establishing the first functional medicine hospital in the U.S. and developing two non-profit organizations to fund veterinary nutrition and longevity research. Dr. Becker is the world’s most-followed veterinarian on Facebook. Her platform provides practical health information for millions of pet parents, industry professionals, and veterinarians. She is the co-author of The Forever Dog, the first dog health book to reach #1 on the New York Times best-seller list and be published in over 21 languages. Becker cares deeply about protecting the earth’s wild animals and those whose populations are in peril. She celebrates her 37th year as a federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator this year. Her career has been guided by the mission to help all living beings enjoy vibrant lives by maximizing their health potential. She embraces proactivity and harnesses the foundation of nutrition and a healthy lifestyle to prevent disease.
Learn more about Dr. Becker in this Gentle Doctor magazine feature.