E-Insight

January 2005

Update from the Dean’s Office

Dear Friends,

I’d like to welcome everyone back to the start of a new semester here at Colorado State University. I hope you enjoyed your winter break and were able to take some time to rest, relax, and visit with family and friends.

This year started with a reunion of friends as we hosted the 66 th Annual Veterinary Conference Jan. 8-10. It was a pleasure to visit with so many graduates and colleagues. I met with the Dean’s Advisory Council and also welcomed back the Class of 1995 with a reunion dinner at the University Park Holiday Inn. Attendees to the conference were able to enjoy more than 75 hours of continuing education, as well as numerous guest speakers. Thanks to all who joined us and to those who work so hard to make this conference a success each year.

Before the Veterinary Conference, I attended the Deans Conference of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). The focus of this two-day work session was the 2005 federal agenda for the AAVMC. This year, the Association and member institutions have two primary objectives. First, to seek appropriations for the Veterinary Medical Service Act which received congressional approval in 2004. This act works to bring veterinary medicine to rural areas by forgiving loans to veterinary students who agree to work in these areas. The second objective is to find sponsors for and bring to Congress the Veterinary Medical Education and Workforce Development Act.

This act would provide for federal funding to increase the capacity at each veterinary school in the United States, building more facilities, creating additional faculty positions, enhancing operating funds, and providing stipend support for veterinarians seeking PhDs in select areas, particularly as these areas relate to homeland security. The proposed legislation will recognize that veterinary medicine is a national resource for public health concerns of national importance. This in turn requires a national mechanism to help fund veterinary education and assume some responsibility for investment in infrastructure. Senator Wayne Allard has agreed to sponsor this legislation, and we are now seeking a co-sponsor.

Looking forward, I’ll be attending the Western Veterinary Medical Conference in Las Vegas in February. We have a number of our faculty who are attending and giving presentations, and the College will be hosting an alumni reception. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I think 2005 will be a year of exciting opportunities for the College and I look forward to the challenges ahead.

With Best Regards,

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