In 1955, Dr. June Iben became the first female to graduate from the School of Veterinary Medicine and paved the way for the many female veterinary students to follow.

After teaching and working for a private practice, Iben opened and ran her own private veterinary practice for 35 years in Pennsylvania and 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, Iben lived on the premises of the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage, where she cared for rescued lions, tigers, cougars and other exotic cats.

While attending her 50-year reunion (see photo) on campus, Iben described how the male students and their wives always made her feel like part of the OSU family while she was going to school here, adding, "If not for their teasing, I wouldn't have made it through." She credited all her achievements to those who helped her, explaining, "There is no self-made person; you owe your success to all those who helped and guided you."

Iben died on Dec. 18, 2008.