Lincoln Memorial University - Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) student Tara Barron, Class of 2025, has been named president-elect of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA).
“Tara is a gifted student leader who truly deserves this amazing opportunity to represent the entire SAVMA organization as their president,” said LMU-CVM Dean Stacy Anderson, DVM, PhD, DACVS-LA. “I have full confidence that she will do a great job and represent LMU well.
As president-elect, Barron will dedicate herself to learning the intricacies of the role. During this time, she will sit on the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) board as a non-voting member. The president-elect provides perspective on scholarships and promotes student well-being. She will also have a seat on the AVMA board.
“I am honored to advocate for the 8,000 veterinary students nationwide,” Barron said. “I am humbled by the trust that has been placed in me to serve as the eventual SAVMA president. My leadership style will remain centered on servant leadership and prioritizing the interests of our students.”
As president-elect of the national SAVMA, she is eager to bring the spotlight to LMU.
“I look forward to showcasing LMU to other schools and the AVMA, highlighting our excellence in veterinary education,” she said.
Barron has served as the senior delegate and treasurer for the Student American Veterinary Medicine Association (SAVMA). In Summer 2022, she and the University of Tennessee delegate created a bid to host the SAVMA symposium in Knoxville. At the AVMA convention, the house of delegates voted for the joint bid to host the SAVMA Symposium in 2024. In 2023, she co-founded a Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative at LMU.
Her biggest personal accomplishment is starting a Safe Space series within LMU. Another accomplishment for her is being a non-traditional student with a business background being accepted into LMU-CVM. She has become an advocate for non-traditional students to continue to chase their dreams and passions.
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The LMU-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine is located on LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, with additional academic facilities in nearby Lee County, Virginia. LMU-CVM is an integral part of the University’s medical programs and provides real-world, community-based education in a collaborative learning environment. For more information about LMU-CVM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 6600 or visit us online at vetmed.LMUnet.edu.
