Dear Friends,
With snow on the ground in Colorado, it’s not hard to believe that the holidays are near and fall semester is coming to a close. This will be the last Update from the Dean’s Office for 2006, so I’d like to finish out the year with a few updates, some good news, and a farewell to a friend, colleague and great scientist.
As most of you know, the College lost one of its own in November. Dr. Edward Gillette’s shadow looms large over this College, where he has profoundly impacted the lives of countless students, fellow faculty members, and near and distant colleagues. His influence on the field of veterinary radiation oncology is difficult to quantify as, without his efforts and early guidance, it’s difficult to imagine if such a radical notion of radiation therapy for companion animals would have taken root – much less the development of comparative oncology. During this difficult time, his family is in our thoughts and we wish them all the best. His impact on our College and the field of veterinary radiation oncology will be felt for years to come in new treatment protocols, new research programs and new partnerships, such as the one recently announced with the Mayo Clinic.
I’d like to congratulate our research teams in cancer and infectious diseases for the recent collaborative research agreement established with the Mayo Clinic that ensures a beneficial partnership not only for both CSU and Mayo, but for animal and human patients. Working together we bring the power of both institutions to address new research endeavors that may one day change the course of human and animal medicine. (See related article in this edition of E-Insight.)
In other news, I attended the Cattlemen’s Association meeting on Nov. 16 where I discussed the Food Animal Veterinary Career Incentive Program. We have our first group of applicants for this program, scheduled to begin in 2007, and I talked with the group’s members about scholarship opportunities for these students. On Dec. 4 and 5, I attended the American Association of Equine Practitioners meeting in San Antonio and we sponsored a very enjoyable alumni reception
On Dec. 4-7, the Diagnostic Medicine Center (DMC) Building Committee met with the architectural firms FWA Group and Hillier to begin planning for the DMC. As I’ve mentioned before, we have $3.5 million in state funding for planning, as part of a total of $35 million commitment from the state for construction of the new DMC. I would like to recognize the committee members who are giving so much of their time and energies to make this endeavor a success. Committee chair is Dr. Ken Blehm and Bill Conn is project manager. Committee members include Drs. Barb Powers, Dan Gould, Doreene Hyatt, Kristy Pabilonia, Linda Vap, Dave Van Metre, Mike Miller, and Jay Kammerzell.
In January, I’m looking forward to the 68th Annual Conference scheduled for Jan. 6-8. In addition to a diverse selection of continuing education courses and excellent keynote speakers, I hope to see each of you at the conference banquet where we’ll be kicking off the College’s 100th anniversary celebration.
Lastly, I’d like to congratulate all of our graduate and undergraduate students who will be graduating this month. Commencement ceremonies for graduate students are scheduled for the afternoon of Dec. 15, and for undergraduates in the evening of that same day. We wish each of you the best of luck in all your endeavors and hope you find success in life, wherever your path leads you. I’m also happy to announce that we have a graduation of sorts in our own family. Against all odds, our puppy Lexi has triumphantly graduated from puppy obedience school – though for a while we weren’t sure if she would pass her finals!
I hope each of you has a happy and safe holiday, and I look forward to seeing you in 2007.
Best Regards,
Lance Perryman, DVM, PhD
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
