Kate Verville, Founder of the College’s Premed Program, Retires

Alonzo G. and Virginia Gent Decker Associate Professor of Biology Kate Verville taught at Washington College for 39 years.

By the time she’d earned her doctorate in biology in 1984, Kate Verville had firsthand experience of a small liberal arts school as an undergraduate and a large research university as a graduate student. Her close undergraduate interactions with faculty and fellow students and experience as a teaching assistant in grad school convinced Verville to focus on teaching and students. The year after she completed her doctorate, she started at Washington to follow this vocation. 

“I really enjoy teaching, and I've tried really hard to be better and better every year,” Verville said. "I'll miss the learning that goes into teaching as well as finding a way to talk about and be excited about a topic in a way that helps students get enthusiastic.” 

Soon after starting at the College, Verville learned students needed support applying to medical school, and seeing an opportunity to help, she stepped in to create Washington's premedical committee process.  

Made up primarily of faculty from disciplines related to medicine like biology, chemistry, and psychology, the premedical committee advises students interested in medical, dental, optometry, and podiatry schools, helps them prepare for the extensive application process, and at the request of the students makes a Committee Letter available to the schools to which they have applied.  

“We designed the process so that the students would have the best application possible,” Verville said. “The Committee Letter is helpful, and the process students go through to be eligible to receive that letter is especially helpful.” 

Verville credits those at the College who worked closely with her in the development of the committee and, year after year, in the process itself. Among these individuals are Linda Cades, who directed the College’s Center for Career Development for many years, and faculty administrator Bari Lynne Kersey.

Verville was also instrumental in creating a new position several years ago, coordinator of pre-health professions advising, which provides additional support to Washington premedical/predental students and students interested in many other health professions. She chaired the Premedical Committee from its creation in 1987 until 2020, when she handed leadership to Professor Elizabeth Yost but remained on the committee.

“Kate has been an amazing mentor. Before I accepted the position from the Provost, I spoke extensively with Kate to see not only what the process entailed but also to learn about her approach,” Yost said. “I've been so thankful that Kate remained on the committee and has been open to each and every question I've gone to her with.”

Throughout her career and the evolution of her legacy premedical program, Verville has always used students’ needs as her guiding star, creating courses and labs in the fields of microbiology and immunology and undertaking small research projects with undergraduates. The 1996 Washington College Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award recognized her dedication and skill. 

“I liked interacting with the students and helping them and being a tiny part of their success. I mean, I didn't get anybody into medical school, right? Students get themselves into medical school. But I like having some small positive impact on their lives,” Verville said. “I love the College. I will miss a lot of things about the College, especially the students and the classroom.” 

During her time at Washington, Verville also served as chair of the biology department and chair of the natural sciences and mathematics division. Outside of the College, she has served for many years as co-chair of the major workshops committee for the Association for Biology Laboratory Education. 

— Mark Jolly-Van Bodegraven