E-Insight

May 2004

Dr. Stephen Withrow Named as University Distinguished Professor

Colorado State University has named two faculty members as University Distinguished Professors, the highest academic recognition awarded by the University. President Larry Penley announced the recipients in a special ceremony at the annual Celebrate Colorado State awards luncheon on April 29. The two recipients are Dr. Stephen Withrow, Director of the Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, and Dr. Louis Hegedus, Department of Chemistry.

A maximum of 12 current faculty members at the University may hold the rank of University Distinguished Professor, which is a permanent designation. To obtain the rank, faculty members are nominated through an extensive review process and must be approved by the current University Distinguished Professors. Dr. Penley approved the selections and secured endorsement from the University's governing board.

"The position of University Distinguished Professor is conferred upon truly extraordinary faculty members," Dr. Penley said. "Dr. Withrow and Professor Hegedus are internationally renowned faculty who are committed to leading Colorado State with excellence, dedication and pioneering intellect. Faculty such as these set Colorado State's course into continued academic excellence."

Each University Distinguished Professor receives a special medallion and a permanent base salary increase of $7,500. Current members are Dr. Patrick Brennan, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology; Dr. Edward Hoover, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology; Dr. Gordon Niswender, Department of Biomedical Sciences; Dr. Holmes Rolston III, Department of Philosophy; Dr. George Seidel, Department of Biomedical Sciences; Dr. Gary Smith, Department of Animal Sciences; Dr. Thomas Vonder Haar, Department of Atmospheric Science; Dr. Bernard E. Rollin, Department of Philosophy; Dr. Robert Williams, Department of Chemistry; and Dr. Barry Beaty, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology.

Dr. Stephen Withrow was named a University Distinguished Professor following an impressive career in animal cancer research, including ground-breaking discoveries benefiting companion animals as well as humans. Among his many contributions to cancer research and treatment, Dr, Withrow developed a limb-sparing technique to treat osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor in dogs. The technique revolutionized treatment of the disease and has been widely adopted in human cancer centers.

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Withrow established Colorado State's Animal Cancer Center, now the largest animal cancer center in the word. The center has trained more veterinary surgical, medical and radiation oncologists than any other veterinary institution and is the only veterinary cancer group to have more than 25 consecutive years of funding from the National Cancer Institute.

The Animal Cancer Center has pioneered numerous surgical, radiation and chemotherapy procedures for animals with cancer. The center treats up to 2,000 pets a year with cancer and handles a volume of 10,000 appointments. A 1998 campaign successfully raised $9.3 million to fund a new wing on the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which became the new home of the Animal Cancer Center.

In addition to directing the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State, Dr. Withrow has maintained a commitment to work in the clinic, seeing patients as a surgical oncologist 50 percent of the time. This commitment provides a hands-on, personal involvement with the center. Dr. Withrow holds the Stuart Endowed Chair for Oncology and is the only veterinary fellow of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, a prestigious international society of elite orthopedic physician oncologists. He founded the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group, an association of 20 private practices and universities that cooperate in clinical trials. He is a charter member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Oncology board and is a board-certified member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, one of only three people in the nation to be board certified in both disciplines.

During his tenure at Colorado State, Withrow has established two endowed chairs and raised more than $20 million in private funds. His career has been recognized with the Gains award, the highest honor a clinical veterinarian can receive, from the national veterinary associations of two countries, Canada in 1978 and the United States in 1990.

In addition to his many commitments at Colorado State, Withrow has volunteered for 23 years as a counselor and fund raiser for the Sky High Hope Camp for children with cancer, earning him the Ronald McDonald House Volunteer of the Year award in 2003.