Development

The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is honored to have Eleven Named University Chairs and Professorships

University Chairs and Professorships are faculty positions funded through permanent private endowments. Faculty members selected for a Chair or Professorship are outstanding scholars, gifted teachers, researchers, and internationally known for their work. The title of University Chair is one of the highest honors Colorado State University can award to a faculty member.

The John Alexander Chair in Large Animal Reproduction

The John Alexander Chair in Large Animal Reproduction was established in January 2001 by the Alexander Family. John Alexander was a third year professional veterinary medicine student who died tragically in a skiing accident in Colorado in February 1999. Funding from this Chair is intended to insure excellence in teaching skills and support a practical approach to large animal reproductive medicine.

The Barbara Cox Anthony University Chair in Oncology

The Barbara Cox Anthony University Chair in Oncology was established in June 2002 through a gift from the James M. Cox, Jr. Foundation of Atlanta, Georgia. The Chair provides a secure source of funding to attract and retain the best scientific minds and to increase applied research into the various causes, treatments, and potential cures for cancer. The Chair was presented to Douglas Thamm, VMD, DACVIM, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Research at CSU's Animal Cancer Center, (photo right), in October 2011.

The Barbara Cox Anthony University Chair in Orthopaedic Research

The Barbara Cox Anthony University Chair in Orthopaedic Research was established in September 2002 by Barbara Cox Anthony of Honolulu, Hawaii. The Chair has enabled the College to enhance the education, research and services within the orthopaedic research program. The Chair was awarded to C. Wayne McIlwraith, BVSC, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, Diplomate ACVS, Professor of Surgery, and Director of the Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Center at Colorado State University. Dr. McIlwraith is known as a pioneer of equine arthroscopy. His expertise in diagnosing joint injuries in horses as well as discovering effective therapeutic and preventative health care have made him a world renowned expert in the field.

Kenneth and Virginia Atkinson Chair in Musculoskeletal Imaging

The Kenneth and Virginia Atkinson Chair in Musculoskeletal Imaging was established in 2007 with a gift from the estate of Kenneth and Virginia Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson was a long-time supporter and advocate of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences equine programs. His continued support over a number of years allowed the College to complete the B. W. Pickett Equine Center. This Chair will support various imaging modalities at the Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center.

The Hill's Professorship of Animal Biotechnology

Russell V. Anthony, PhD, Professor Department of Biomedical Sciences was designated as the first professor to fill the Hill Professorship of Animal Biotechnology in April 1994, and has held this position ever since. The Professorship was established by Morven Farms of Charlottesville, Virginia and the Denver Business Challenge. The Professorship is named in honor of Harold J. Hill, DVM a pioneer in the area of artificial insemination of cattle in the intermountain region and contributor to scholarly and outreach activities at the Colorado State University Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory.

Iron Rose Ranch Chair in Equine Reproduction

The Iron Rose Ranch established a University Chair in equine reproduction in 2007. The Chair enables the College to enhance its world renowned efforts in equine reproductive performance. Since its establishment, the Chair has been held by Patrick M. McCue, DVM, PhD, Diplomate in the American College of Theriogenologists, and director of the Equine Reproduction Lab (ERL). The ERL is a core component of the College's overall program in veterinary medicine and the endowed chair greatly enhances the animal care and treatment mission of the laboratory. Iron Rose Ranch, located near Carbondale, Colorado, specializes in breeding some of the finest cutting horses in the nation and has also funded an endowed Chair in musculoskeletal equine disease and injury.

Iron Rose Ranch Chair in Musculoskeletal Equine Disease and Injury

The Iron Rose Ranch Chair in Musculoskeletal Equine Disease and Injury was established in 2004 to support research into preventing, treating, and curing equine musculoskeletal disease and injury. The Chair, established by the Iron Rose Ranch, is held by Christopher E. Kawcak, DVM, PhD, Professor at the Equine Orthopaedic Research Center. Working with researchers in biomedical engineering, Dr. Kawcak's team has developed biomechanical models to assess risk factors specific to each individual athlete with implications for human bone and joint disease.

The Kenneth W. Smith Professorship in Small Animal Clinical Veterinary Medicine

The Kenneth W. Smith Professorship was created to honor the life and work of Ken Smith, DVM, a graduate of the Colorado State Veterinary Medicine Program and longtime professor and clinician at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In October 2002, Michael R. Lappin, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, Professor of Infectious Disease, Department of Clinical Sciences, became the first recipient of the Professorship. Dr. Lappin's laboratory studies immune responses to vaccination against respiratory viruses in cats, as well as immune responses to feline vaccines. He is also Director of Shelter Medicine and investigates disease outbreaks and management in shelter settings.

The Stuart Chair in Oncology

The Stuart Chair in Oncology was created in March of 2001 by E. Hadley Stuart, Jr. of Colorado, a long-time advocate and benefactor of the Flint Animal Cancer Center at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University. The Chair was awarded to Stephen J. Withrow, DVM, former Director of the Robert H. and Mary G. Flint Animal Cancer Center and University Distinguished Professor, in 2001. Dr. Withrow has gained international acclaim for cancer research, including ground-breaking research benefiting companion animals as well as humans. Dr. Withrow, who continues to provide his expertise to the Animal Cancer Center, developed a limb-sparing technique to treat osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor in dogs that has been widely adopted in human cancer centers.

The Mabel I. and Henry H. Traubert Professorship in Animal Genetics

The Mabel I. and Henry H. Traubert Professorship in Animal Genetics was established in May 2001 from the estate of Henry Traubert. The Professorship supports the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the area of animal genetics. The Professorship was awarded to Thomas R. (Tod) Hansen, PhD, Director of the Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory in 2006.

ENDOWMENT POLICY

Endowment levels indicate the minimum funding required from private sector donors. Each chair, professorship or other endowment may need to be funded at a higher level to meet the needs of a specific program. According to the current spending policy of Colorado State University Foundation, 5% of an endowment's market value is available for allocation each year. This policy is subject to change at the discretion of the Foundation Board.

University Endowed Chair ($3,000,000) - This designation is accorded to that select number of faulty judged to be truly outstanding scholars and teachers according to rigorous, nationally accepted standards. The title of "University Chair" us one of the highest honors Colorado State University may award to a faculty member. The reputations of recipients reflect their special creative and research contributions, as well as their efforts in shaping the world's understanding of their field of study. University Chairs at Colorado State, as at other prestigious universities, constitute that small cadre of exceptionally gifted professors whose names evoke immediate acknowledgement and respect in academic circles. Annual allocations from the endowment are expected to fund the salary, benefits, and operational costs for the position.

College Endowed Chair ($1,500,000) - Recipients of these chairs must have demonstrated significant contributions to their fields through exceptional teaching and scholarly excellence. These individuals are expected to be of national stature with established track records of achievement. In addition to acquiring a minimum gift of $,500,000 from a donor, a college must commit an appropriate level of funding to cover salary, benefits and operational costs for the position.

University Professorship ($750,000) - This designation is intended to enhance faculty positions held by scholars/teachers with outstanding qualifications. The achievements and qualifications of Distinguished professors are expected to be extremely high, setting them apart from the majority of their colleagues. Earnings from these endowments supplement faculty salary lines.

College Professorship ($375,000) - Professorships are typically held by gifted faculty members whose accomplishments indicate great potential. Their efforts are focused on honing their teaching skills and on carving out areas of research or performance. Earnings from these endowments supplement faculty salary lines.