Alumna invests in tomorrow’s Auburn veterinarians

When you know, you know. And Dr. Kimberly Roberts knew from the earliest age that one day she would be a veterinarian. But not just any veterinarian, an Auburn veterinarian.

“Growing up on our family farm in south Alabama, I was around animals and animal agriculture my entire life,” Roberts said. “Those experiences created a passion for veterinary medicine that I never lost.”

With a front-row seat to cattle, timber, catfish and row farming, her journey began. And with each childhood milestone, she watered the seed that would one day grow into her dream.

She realized that dream in 1998, walking across the graduation stage and becoming an Auburn veterinarian.

Today, her Auburn dreams are for future generations — students who will reach their own goals of becoming Auburn veterinarians. It’s about paying it forward. For Roberts, that means chairing the dean’s advisory council, investing in students and giving to the college.

“I want to improve things for others,” she said. “My hope is that students will prosper and have similar opportunities that were here for me. That’s why I’m engaged and that’s why I give to Auburn.”

The deliberate path

Roberts spent the bulk of her childhood volunteering at a local veterinary hospital, solidifying her commitment to a career in veterinary medicine. When it came time to apply to college, Auburn was the obvious choice.

“I put all my eggs in one basket,” she said. “There was never another choice for me. It was always Auburn.”

Arriving on campus in 1990, Roberts took the first step in her plan — pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the College of Agriculture. Then came veterinary school. A few years later, her Auburn dream was complete.

“That is my best Auburn memory,” she said. “Walking across the stage on graduation day with my Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine classmates and friends, celebrating our success and achievement. It just seemed so far away at times so to be able to have that moment together — that was very special.”

Roberts received the esteemed Dr. Wilford S. Bailey annual scholarship during her years as a student in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She knows firsthand how significant scholarship support can be and the message it sends to students.

“It was such an honor to receive an award named for Dr. Bailey. He’s a legend and sought the highest standards for our college and the university,” she said. “That award was, and I believe still is, an inspiration to always work hard, lead by example and give of your time and resources to help others.”

She entered clinical veterinary practice after graduation and credits her Auburn education with equipping her with the tools she needed to take the next step, too — creating and growing her own veterinary practice.

“It was scary to step out and create my own business,” she said. “I built it from scratch into a four-doctor, American Animal Hospital Association accredited practice. It was such a wonderful community and our clients and patients were like family. That was something I would definitely attribute to my Auburn education.” 

Expecting to run the practice she built and loved for her entire career, no one was more surprised than Roberts when an unexpected opportunity to sell the business appeared. She took it, and as she has done throughout her life, set out to achieve new goals. Today, Roberts is a regional medical director for a company led by Auburn alumni focused on supporting and growing veterinary practices throughout the United States.

“This role is one of the examples of how veterinary medicine can take you in so many different directions,” she said. “I’m now able to give back to young veterinarians who are in all stages of life from new graduates to those who are developing into leaders in their practice. It’s been an incredibly fulfilling journey for me professionally and it’s such a rewarding opportunity to be able to make an impact and help them in their careers.”

The War Eagle way

Setting the course for her profession as a veterinarian, Roberts’ time on the Plains also shaped her commitment to giving back.

“When I describe my Auburn experience, I simply say, ‘it was great,’” she said. “It was a balance between studying and performing well in class and spending time with friends and having fun. It was a really wonderful experience and that’s what I want for every student at Auburn.” 

Leading the dean’s advisory council, she has seen firsthand the impact donor gifts can have in supporting college needs such as equipment, programs, faculty support and student scholarships. She consistently gives to the college’s Centennial Club to ensure the dean has the funds he needs to advance critical needs in the college.

Helping current students is often on her mind. Realizing today’s students face different challenges than she and her peers did, Roberts supports the college with her time and resources to ensure their success and their student experience.

“I want students to enjoy this time in their lives even as they work hard and prepare for the challenges of their future careers,” she said. “Auburn is equipping them to be successful, but also giving them the tools they need to love what they do. And that’s important because being a veterinarian is more of a calling than a job. And if you love it, it’s amazing.”