(January 7, 2009 Stillwater, OK) – Dr. June Iben, Class of 1955, passed away on Dec. 18, 2008, at her residence in Smock, Pa., after a brief illness. She was the first woman to graduate from Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) College of Veterinary Medicine.

Paving the way for the many female veterinary students who would later follow in her footsteps, she ran a private veterinary practice for 35 years in Pennsylvania. Iben was known for her love of exotic cats raising several of them herself. She traveled to Africa in 1971 to study with George and Joy Adamson of “Born Free” fame. After retiring from her veterinary practice, she worked part-time with Dr. William Sheperd, owner of Camelot Veterinary Clinic in Uniontown, Pa., and lived on the premises of Sheperd’s Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage where she cared for the rescued lions, tigers, cougars and other exotic cats.

Contributions in her memory can be made to Pleasant View Presbyterian Church, R.D. 1, Smock, PA 15480, to the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage, c/o Dr. William Sheperd, Camelot Veterinary Clinic, 169 Sheperd Lane, Uniontown, PA 15401, or made payable to the OSU Foundation, CVHS – Dr. June D. Iben Scholarship*, c/o Mr. Jeff Cathey, Sr. Director of Development, OSU Foundation, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, 308 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078. The scholarship will be used to help a veterinary student interested in zoo, exotics and wildlife medicine.

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The center’s Boren Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.

*place “CVHS – Dr. June D. Iben Scholarship” on the memo line of the check

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