The Tale of the Blurred Bison
Thursday, April 23, 2020
It started their first year of veterinary college in 2016. Two classmates studying in the classroom one evening before an exam and one of them decided to doodle on the chalkboard. The class often referred to itself as the “kinfolk” so the artist wrote, “No kinfolk left behind” signifying they were here to help each other and work together. It was signed the Blurred Bison. For the next four years, the class of 2020 would find words of inspiration and colorful designs throughout McElroy Hall and in the Veterinary Medical Hospital to encourage them along their journey to earn a DVM degree from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to graduation the Blurred Bison revealed herself – Brayden Routh of Edmond, Oklahoma.
“I chose the name based on my initials – Brayden Leigh Routh. BLR sounded like ‘blur’ to me,” said Routh. “I chose the bison because it started with a “b,” it is the Oklahoma state mammal, and I just think they are interesting creatures.
“That next morning when everyone came to class, it was fun to hear them talking about the doodle and asking who made it,” she said. “I thought it would be fun to keep it anonymous plus I have always been pretty shy and didn’t want the extra attention. I tried to pick designs that would be inspirational. Everyone knows veterinary school is no easy task. I hoped these quotes might help some people get through their day or a challenging situation. I wanted the designs to be more about the message rather than who was behind it.”
Routh’s designs started simple in white chalk only. As time went by, she branched out adding colors and pictures. They included such phrases as, “if you get tired, learn to rest not to quit; it always seems impossible until it’s done; live life in full bloom; if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.”
“I definitely considered pursuing art or graphic design but I didn’t want to burn out on the art. I would rather have it as a hobby. Something I can do as a release when I’m feeling stressed.”
Instead, Routh applied to veterinary school a semester before completing her undergraduate studies at OSU.
“Originally I planned to become an occupational therapist but found I wasn’t truly passionate about it. I loved animals and knew I wanted to pursue something science-related, which is why I was obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology. A close family friend encouraged me to apply to veterinary school. I worried that I wasn’t smart enough or didn’t have what it would take to get accepted, however, my support system believed in me and I decided to try. I am very thankful for that push. I loved veterinary school and getting to know so many fantastic people.”
A true cowboy fan, OSU was the only school she applied to for her undergraduate and DVM degrees.
“I have a couple generations of pokes in my family so OSU was the only school I wanted to attend. I toured a few other Oklahoma college campuses while in high school but Stillwater felt like home.”
Following graduation, Dr. Routh will move to Atlanta, Georgia, to complete a one-year small animal rotating internship at Blue Pearl Emergency Hospital. She plans to pursue an ophthalmology residency afterwards.
“I do want to thank Christa Olbrey for always offering me advice and critiques on designs. Christa was studying with me when I drew the first doodle. She was the one person who knew my secret from the beginning. She helped me move the giant chalkboard in and out of classrooms. We joked that she was my accomplice – the ‘Board Buffalo.’ Because of a mess-up by a screen printing company, later Marianne Caron also knew my secret. I want to thank Marianne for continuously telling people for four years that she had no idea who it was.”
Routh’s final Blurred Bison message to her classmates included all 88 names of the class of 2020 surrounding these words, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Words of inspiration indeed.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu