E-Insight

February 2004

Update from the Dean's Office

Dear Friends,

The snow is getting ready to fly again here in Colorado, but our hearts are warmed by good news coming out of the College. In January, we learned that four programs based in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and an additional program with which many of our faculty are affiliated, were selected as Colorado State University Programs of Research and Scholarly Excellence. This honor reflects highly upon the quality of the faculty, staff, and students at our College and is something of which we can all be very proud.

I congratulate all those involved with the Infectious Diseases Program; Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory; Musculoskeletal Research Program; Radiological Health Sciences and Cancer Research Program; and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program. Your efforts in these important fields of scientific research and study are greatly appreciated by all.

I'd also like to congratulate all the students and faculty involved in the Phi Zeta, Theta Chapter's CVMBS Research Day. This was an exciting event for all and I was very impressed with the quality of research and presentations that were apparent throughout the day. Congratulations also go to all the new inductees to Phi Zeta, the Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine.

In upcoming events, the College will have a strong presence at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, February 15-19. Many of our faculty will be giving lectures, and a number of our students will be in attendance. We will be hosting an alumni reception on Monday, February 16, and are looking forward to that occasion when we will see old and new friends.

On February 23, 24, and 25, the University will host the Higher Learning Commission for an accreditation site visit. This particular commission is very focused on outcomes assessment, something for which our College is a University leader. This assessment basically measures performance with an initial approach, how the next interaction was modified, and how performance changed - assessing the outcome. This can be applied to undergraduate and graduate education, alumni relations, donor programs, and every other aspect of the University.

Members of the commission will meet with department heads, deans, and associate deans while they are here, and may ask to meet with individual faculty members as well. Dr. Lori Kogan, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, is the College's outcomes assessment coordinator and I'd like to thank her for her assistance in this matter. I'd also like to recognize our own Dr. Robert Jones and Dr. Alicia Cook (College of Applied Human Sciences) for the instrumental role they played in pulling this exhaustive document together. The report that will be presented to the commission represents over a year's hard work.

Enjoy your month and I look forward to seeing many of you at the Western Veterinary Conference.

Best Regards,

Dr. Lance Perryman, Dean