Lessons from the Camino

James Herman

A graduate of Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, James Herman left College Station to practice in San Antonio, Texas. In practice, James found that he spent more time explaining what was happening in people’s animals than actually treating them. An opportunity arose for James to return to Texas A&M to further his veterinary training, but it also required him to teach courses. While he immensely enjoyed working with animals, James found that he had an aptitude for explaining things to students. He had developed the desire to make a positive impact on health and medicine of humans and animals. Through teaching, he realized that he could have a bigger impact than he could as a solo practitioner. In 1996, he joined the faculty of Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology as an instructor.

Since that time, James progressed from Instructor to Clinical Professor. James won several major teaching awards, including the Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Awards for Teaching Excellence both at the College- and University-level. In May 2016, James earned the title of Presidential Professor of Teaching Excellence.

At Texas A&M, James serves as the Chair of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and serves on the Faculty and Student Advisory Board to the Center for Teaching Excellence. He serves as a member of the Aggie Honor Council and works as a faculty advisor for student organizations. Because of his love for the outdoors and backpacking, he also volunteered as a local Scout Leader.

Married for 26 years, James and his wife have three children. His oldest son convinced him to take his boots out of retirement and hike the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in May/June of 2018. His journey on El Camino or “The Way” is a corner stone for this talk.