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April 19, 2012

  • As we prepare for one of Texas A&M's most revered traditions, Aggie Muster, where we pause to remember those who have passed in the previous year, I am reminded of another milestone moment that contributed to making our college the special place it is. As has been often said, we always build our future on the accomplishments of those who came before us, so it is always fitting to honor their memory.  On April 16, 1916, 96 years ago, "The Board of Directors established the School of Veterinary Medicine as a part of the Agricultural and Mechanical College.  The school was authorized to award the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  Dr. Mark Francis was named dean and professor of veterinary medicine and surgery."   - pg. 77, A Pictorial History of Texas A&M University 1876-1976 by Henry C. Dethloff. The same history book explains that "Veterinary Science" had been taught at A&M since 1879 and Dr. Mark Francis of Ohio had been a professor in that department since it was created in 1888. I appreciate Former Dean Richard Adams letting me know about this important part of our combined history.
  • Scheduled for Saturday, April 21st, is the grand re-opening of the Memorial Student Center. Known as the "living room" of campus, the renovation has been extensive and provides many gathering opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. In the process, connections to the important components of Texas A&M history have been maintained and highlighted throughout the complex. Please take time to visit the MSC and see what's new.
  • In our own backyard, we have had the opportunity to open up our college to family and friends on Parents Weekend. Our second year veterinary students made the symbolic transition from classroom learning to clinical application with the receiving of their white coats in the annual White Coat Ceremony. It was a wonderful weekend, and family and friends who have been supporting our veterinary medical students were able to get a taste of what life is like in veterinary medical school.
  • Then, on Saturday, April 14th, we opened our doors to the public with our 19th Annual Open House. What a tremendous turnout with an estimated 10,000 guests in attendance. I am always in awe of the amazing job that our students do to accomplish such a large event. Through interactive exhibits and demonstrations, our students are telling the story, not only of our college, but also of our profession. Thanks and congratulations for a job well done by this year's Open House chair, Kristen Turner, and to the approximately 700 two-legged volunteers - our veterinary, graduate, and undergraduate students who made this one of the biggest and best events at CVM.
  • Congratulations again to Tim Phillips, the newest Distinguished Professor in CVM.  This is a most prestigious honor.  Nominations from across campus are reviewed by a panel of Texas A&M's previously recognized University Distinguished Professors.  Selection is based upon achievement of seminal contribution or substantial leap forward in the discipline, consideration as pre-eminent in field, and major impact of scholarship.  This is considered the highest honor bestowed by Texas A&M on its faculty. Dr. Castiglioni and I have notified Dr. Phillips personally.  You are encouraged to attend the reception to honor Dr. Phillips on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 2:00-4:00 PM in the Mark Francis Room.
  • Our students continue to achieve great success outside of the walls of our college. Amelia Romoser, a graduate student in toxicology, recently received the Association of Former Students University Level Award for Graduate Research. Also, James (Will) Frank, a PhD candidate in Dr. Gregory Johnson's laboratory, just won the platform presentation competition at the 18th Annual Texas Forum for Reproductive Biology. Congratulations to both of these outstanding students and their faculty mentors.
  • During our College Hour on April 13th, I was pleased to provide updates on our recently approved Veterinary Education Building. The Dean of the College of Architecture, Dr. Jorge Vanegas, has been very supportive of this building project and has freed up one of his faculty members, Dr. Valerian (Vallie) Miranda, to help develop the Program of Requirements for our new facility.  Dr. Miranda will also involve graduate students from the College of Architecture.  Special thanks are extended to Sam Wigington, Director of facilities, and his team, Heather Quiram, Assistant Director, LeTisha Zepeda, Office Assistant, and student workers, Laney Schorp and Stephanie Garcia.
  • Many of our faculty, staff, and students are already engaged in the planning of the new facilities. As the planning process continues, the input we receive from each of you will be vital. Each department has a representative serving to collect input from faculty, staff, and students. Department representatives are:  John August - VSCS, Anton Hoffman - VIBS, Glen Laine - VTPP, Allen Roussel - VLCS, and Roger Smith - VTPB. We have also created a facilities website to keep everyone informed of our progress - /cvm-teaching-facility. On this site there are two surveys, one for faculty and staff and one for students - and we need your participation. You can access the surveys at the following links:
  • We really want the new Education Building to be the best. Over the next few months, members of the CVM family are going to visit leading facilities that represent the latest in design and technology from academia, human medicine, and veterinary medicine. As we travel from coast to coast, we will be bringing back ideas that will put our new facility on the leading edge of educational technology and building design.

Sincerely,
Eleanor M. Green, DVM, DACVIM, DABVP
Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University
(979) 845-5053