Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith, Colorado State University Distinguished Professor and Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center, recently traveled to England to receive an honorable doctorate (DVet Med honoris causa) from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London.
Professor Quintin McKellar, Principal of the RVC, noted that the award is conferred on individuals of exceptional academic merit, who also have helped or been associated with the RVC in one way or another.
“Clearly, you (Dr. McIlwraith) fall into both categories and were therefore considered an outstanding candidate,” said Professor McKellar, who additionally noted that when Dr. McIlwraith accepted the conferment he expressed that he was very surprised by the award.
In 1979, Dr. McIlwraith joined Colorado State University where he brought his expertise in diagnostic arthroscopy, then began to realize the greater potential of using the technology to do minimally invasive surgery. The orthopaedic team began to grow and they were encouraged to expand their research programs, as well as clinical work in the hospital setting, nationally and internationally. In 1994, Dr. McIlwraith took over as Director of the Equine Science Program, and in 2001 became full-time director of the Orthopaedic Research Center.
In 2009, Dr. McIlwraith, a Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, was named a University Distinguished Professor, the highest academic honor bestowed upon faculty members at Colorado State University
The Royal Veterinary College is one of the world’s leading specialist veterinary institutions. It is the largest and oldest independent veterinary school in the United Kingdom.
