Wilhite Addresses UT Graduates

Dr. Jerry Wilhite of Bolivar was recently recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM). He received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM), a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from the University of Tennessee (UT), and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from UTCVM in 1983.

Dr. Wilhite established the Richard E. Wilhite Scholarship Endowment for students who are accepted to UTVCM after completing undergraduate work at UTM, the first scholarship of its kind to link students between the two schools. He is one of the co-owners of Old Hatchie Veterinary Clinic in Bolivar. The clinic, established by his father in 1953, has expanded to a five doctor clinic which includes his brother,

Dr. Frank Wilhite, and his niece, Dr. Whitney Wilhite Jones. Although he recently retired, Dr. Wilhite continues to maintain an active presence at the clinic. He was awarded the Practitioner of the Year for 2024 by the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Wilhite serves as a senior member of the UTCVM Board of Advisors. He and his wife, Carla, have been married for 46 years, and have three children and four grandchildren.