Dear Friends,
It’s difficult to believe that another year is drawing to a close. As I look back on 2009, I can say that as a College and University we have certainly faced some challenges, but also had much to celebrate, including the upcoming Fall Commencement for our students graduating mid-year. Amidst ongoing budget concerns, it’s sometimes too easy to focus on the bad news and forget the good. While we have to remain realistic about the financial challenges facing the University, we also need to remember that we are in a strong position to move forward aggressively once the economy begins a full recovery.
For the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, one of the biggest stories of the year was the completion of the Diagnostic Medicine Center. The $42-million facility houses the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the VTH Clinical Pathology Laboratory, the Animal Population Health Institute, and the Colorado State University Extension veterinarian. Construction began in December 2007 and was completed in June 2008. This beautiful building features state-of-the-art laboratory space and technology, and is a hub for investigations, teaching, and outreach in diagnostic medicine and clinical pathology. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard during the last 10 years to take the DMC from a blueprint dream to concrete reality.
Multiple grants continued to support innovative research at the College this year, including funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and many governmental and private entities. This year also saw the launch of Colorado State University’s first capital campaign with the objective to reach $500 million by 2012. At the College, we committed to raise $100 million and have now reached 93 percent of our goal (with two years remaining in the campaign) thanks to the generous contributions of our benefactors who continue to support the work we do and believe in our mission.
Two professors from the College were honored as University Distinguished Professors in 2009, the highest honor given by Colorado State University. Dr. Ian Orme in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith in the Department of Clinical Sciences were honored for their records of performance as reflected by funded research, research publication, national and international recognition, and continuing accomplishments in their areas of expertise. Other faculty members received numerous honors and awards throughout the year, including Dr. Terry Nett who received the Carl G. Hartman Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction.
Colorado State University welcomed a new chancellor and new president in 2009, with Joe Blake and Dr. Tony Frank taking over leadership of the Colorado State University System and Colorado State University, respectively.
While financial challenges have been forefront in all our minds, we have been able to accomplish much this year and I’d like to thank everyone who strives everyday to make this the best College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in the nation. Finally, I’d like to congratulate our students who will be graduating later this month. We wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. It has been a pleasure and privilege to have you at Colorado State University and we look forward to hearing back from you as you venture on to your next destination. Commencement for our graduate students will take place on Friday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m., at Moby Gym; and for our undergraduate students on Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 a.m., in the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom.
Happy holidays and safe travel to everyone, and we’ll see you in the New Year.
Best Regards,
Dr. Lance Perryman
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
