E-Insight

August 2004

Update from the Dean’s Office

Dear Friends,

August brings with it an end to summer vacations and a beginning to the new academic year. At the Dean’s Office, we look forward to the return of our students who bring with them a desire for learning and an eagerness to meet the challenges presented by their curriculum.

The summer has been a busy one. In July, I traveled to Philadelphia for the American Veterinary Medical Association convention. While there, we hosted an alumni reception and enjoyed getting reacquainted with many of our graduates. The convention also gave AVMA members the opportunity to discuss graduating numbers of veterinarians with respect to population growth in the United States. This can be a controversial subject, but the contention is that as population increases and numbers of veterinary students remain constant, we will no longer be able to meet the many societal needs addressed in veterinary medicine.

The roles of veterinarians are many and complex. Careers are centered typically on one of three major themes – advancing animal care, curing animal and human disease, and protecting public health. The need for veterinarians in research and public health is quickly outstripping available and qualified professionals. We need to be educating more veterinarians, particularly those who will contribute to the generation of new knowledge and the protection of public health. The AVMA and the AAVMC ( American Academy of Veterinary Medical Colleges) are both addressing this issue through planning and legislative action.

In other news, the work of the Strategic Planning Committee for Discovery continues. We have made good progress and plan to file a report in September. I am co-chairing that committee with Hank Gardner, and Drs. John Belisle and Patrick Brennan are on the committee as College representatives.

Also, most of you are aware that Gerry Bomotti has resigned as Vice President of Administrative Services to join the staff at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas as Vice President of Finance. Keith Ickes has been named as the interim vice president. Athletic Director Mark Driscoll and I will co-chair the search committee to find Gerry’s replacement.

I hope you enjoy the remaining days of summer and I look forward to welcoming our students in the coming days.

Best Regards,

Lance Perryman, DVM, PhD
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences