E-Insight

October 2005

Update from the Dean’s Office

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the October edition of E-Insight. I hope everyone is having a good semester as we close in on the half-way point. The days are finally getting cooler and another beautiful Colorado fall is underway.

I’d like to start this update with some good news from the National Institutes of Health. Thanks to the hard work of Dr. Ralph Smith and his colleagues at the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, the NIH has awarded Colorado State University a $4 million matching funds grant to construct the planned $8 million expansion of the Bioenvironmental Research Building at the Foothills Research Campus. This grant, to be matched with funds from Central Administration and my office, is critical to our long-term plans for the enhancement of our biomedical research programs and we are pleased that it has been approved. You can read more about this grant in the accompanying story in this edition of E-Insight.

I also want to comment on the gift announced last week to the College of Natural Resources by Mr. Edward M. Warner. This type of private investment – Mr. Warner contributed a total of $30 million to the college – is a reflection of the faith that our constituents have in this University. They recognize the caliber of our faculty members; the excellence of our research, teaching and outreach programs; and the potential this University has to achieve great things with continued infusion of public and private funds. At the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, we, too, have benefited from the gifts of visionary individuals who see an investment in our College as an investment in the future of this state and country. I want to take this opportunity to thank all our donors for their generosity and their belief in who we are and what we can accomplish.

Diversity was on the agenda for the College and University last month. On Sept. 26-29, the University hosted the 5 th Annual Diversity Conference. I know many of our faculty and staff members, and students participated in some of the workshops and attended guest lectures. It also was encouraging to see so many members of the Fort Collins community in attendance. While the Diversity Conference was on-going, the College was paid a visit by Lisa Greenhill from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). Ms. Greenhill is the coordinator for the AAVMC’s DiVersity Matters program that addresses diversity in the veterinary profession. I enjoyed meeting with her and learning more about the AAVMC’s diversity initiative. We look forward to cooperating with the AAVMC as they look to enhance diversity in the ranks of veterinary medicine. To read more about the AAVMC’s initiative, please see the accompanying story in this edition of E-Insight.

In other business, t he College is sponsoring a number of activities during Homecoming weekend, Oct. 6-9. We’ll host a reunion dinner and breakfast for the DVM Class of 1955’s 50 th Reunion (Golden Grads) on October 6 and for the DVM Class of 1980’s 25 th Reunion on October 7. On October 8, many of our alums will be attending the Rams football game. If you’d like to view a complete schedule, please visit www.homecoming.colostate.edu.

Finally, the College’s Fall Faculty and Staff Meeting is coming up on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 4:15 p.m., at the Hilton Hotel on Prospect Road (formerly the Holiday Inn). I hope each of you can attend as we will be joined by President Larry Penley who will be discussing the University’s strategic plan and key issues for the coming year. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Best Regards,

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