Pam Wilson has been connected to SRC for most of her life. Her father, Bill, taught at SRC for 25 years (and received the Distinguished Retiree Award in 2012). Her mother, Mary, has been a participant in many SRC events over the years. Her three siblings, Randy, Jeff, and Carol, are all SRC alumni. But she’s forged a path all her own, and, because of her accomplishments, she receives the SRC Alumni Association’s highest honor this evening.

Pam received her associate degree from SRC in 1977. She continued to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for her bachelor’s degree in zoology (1979). She earned her master’s in Health Education in 1991 from the University of Texas at Austin, and she was recognized with an Honorary Doctorate in Community Health in 2019 from SIUC.

Her Honorary Doctorate was bestowed upon her for her devotion to protecting public health, especially through her work at Texas’ Department of State Health Services. She was part of the state’s Oral Rabies Vaccination Program, which eliminated the domestic dog/coyote and Texas fox rabies variants. Additionally, Pam’s research and subsequent peer-reviewed articles led to Texas and other states implementing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocol for domestic animals who have been exposed to rabies.

Pam’s extraordinary career in veterinary science and health education has led to a number of accomplishments and honors, including (but not limited to): the H.E.A.L.T.H. Award from the Texas Department of Health (1998), The Humane Educator Award by the Texas Animal Control Association (2000), and the Veterinary Technician of the Year Award of Special Merit by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (2002). She has provided language for Texas state laws pertaining to zoonotic diseases and has authored several books (including multiple children’s books) and many articles and professional publications.

She received SRC’s Alumni Achievement Award (2002) and presented SRC’s commencement address (2003), and she delivered SIU’s College of Science and College of Agricultural Sciences’ commencement address earlier this year. After working at an animal clinic for many years, she currently works in Zoonosis Control at the Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin, TX and is an adjunct instructor for Austin Community College in veterinary medical terminology.

Pamela Wilson