Dear Friends,
April is the beginning of a very busy season at Colorado State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. As we gear up for commencement ceremonies in May, much work remains to be done. Stubborn snow drifts slowly melt away – the result of a late March blizzard – and we find ourselves with a long to-do list.
In the College, we are currently conducting a national search for a new head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences as Dr. Barbara Sanborn prepares to transition out of that role. We have four candidates who will be coming to campus in April for interviews and I look forward to meeting with each of them.
On April 25, the College will host its annual Scholarship and Awards Luncheon to honor our students, as well as the donors who make the College’s scholarship program possible. In the 2008/2009 academic year, the College awarded 390 scholarships totaling $1.46 million, a slight increase over the previous year, something for which we are grateful, especially considering the current economic climate (see related article).
Budget matters continue to be a concern at the University, the College, and nationwide. Third quarter revenue projections released by the State of Colorado on March 20 define the challenges our state faces this fiscal year and next. On the positive side, it appears the State of Colorado will receive federal stimulus funds designated for higher education. The balance of these two pieces of financial information is unclear at this time, so we remain in a holding pattern while final budget numbers are determined.
Our Spring Faculty/Staff Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, and I intend to discuss financial outcomes when we meet then. I hope to have additional information that will help clarify budget decisions for the College as we set our best course for the future. The meeting will be at 4:15 p.m., in the Hilton Hotel, and I look forward to seeing everyone there.
On a lighter note, the PVM Class of 2011 is sponsoring the Fast and the Furriest 5k Race on April 18 at CSU’s historic Oval. This annual run/walk for people and their pets is a benefit for the Companion Care Fund. We encourage you to come and, not only join in the controlled mayhem, but support the Companion Care Fund. The fund provides financial assistance to owners who cannot afford critical or emergency care for their pets. In addition to the run, there will be entertainment, food, and booths – a festive environment for people and their well-behaved, less-than-500-pound pets (see related article).
Also, congratulations are in order to the CSU Bovine Palpation Team. They took first place in the Bovine Reproduction Competition at the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Symposium at The Ohio State University in March, with first place overall going to J.D. Leclair. All four members of the CSU team (including Team Captain Emily Reppert, Caleb Lund, J.D. Leclair and Laurie Page) made the finals.
Finally, commencement planning is well underway and you can mark graduation weekend, May 15 and 16, on your calendars. As our students finish out their semester and look toward the future, we look forward to this celebration of all their accomplishments. I hope to see you there.
Best Regards,
Lance Perryman, DVM, PhD
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
