December 20, 2011

December 20, 2011

• Our Biomedical Sciences program is continuing to grow. This spring, the BIMS program is expecting to enroll 25 incoming freshmen instead of the usual six or seven that enter the program mid-year. This is an indication that not only does our program attract the best and brightest students, but also high school students are starting college earlier, and they are choosing to enroll in BIMS.
• According to a recent study conducted by the Office of the Provost, at graduation, more than 80 percent of undergraduate students in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have accepted a job, have received a job offer, or have been accepted to graduate school. This is one of the highest percentages at Texas A&M. In addition, our students carry one of the lowest percentages of debt of all colleges, with just over 41 percent of our students designated as carrying debt.
• This has been a very successful year for raising funds and building relationships for this college, thanks to our Development Team and to faculty, staff, and students who help. We have received some significant gifts that will help fund scholarships and support research efforts in the CVM. In addition, we continue to engage grateful clients as possible donors. The latter is possible because of the compassionate care our students, clinicians, and staff provide in the teaching hospital.
• I would like to remind everyone that the deadline is tomorrow, December 21st, for submitting proposals to the Dean of faculties Office for reallocation funds related to "Activity Two: Integration of Multidisciplinary Research and Creative Activities into the Learning Experience." The minimum criteria for projects to be funded include: engaging a minimum 100 undergraduate (or 50 graduate students) per academic year; involving at least two colleges or schools from TAMU-College Station; integrating active research or creative activities in the learning experience; ensuring an experiential component beyond the classroom setting; defining learning outcomes and describing methods to assess and evaluate effectiveness; and including a plan for sustainability beyond the funded period to ensure the proposed project can be institutionalized. Proposals are already being submitted to the Dean's Office through the department heads.
• The latest edition of CVM Today is out, and hopefully you have received your copy and have had the chance to look at it. If you haven't, please contact Angela Clendenin in the Public Relations Office, and she will get one to you. I'm pleased to announce that we have launched an interactive online version of CVM Today. You can access this new version at the following link: /fallcvmtoday
• January is already shaping up to be a busy month, as we prepare to start 2012 off with our Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) process for admission into the DVM program. This year, we had more than 450 students apply to our program. After having their application packets evaluated, 236 students will be receiving a letter offering them an interview on January 13th or 14th. From this group, 132 students will be selected to begin their veterinary education in the fall. January 2011 was the first time the MMI format was used, and we were able to include practicing veterinarians from Texas, as well as members of our faculty. Many thanks to Dr. Kenita Rogers, Yolanda Brinkman, the selections committee, and all of the volunteers for their time and commitment in making this process successful. We wish the very best of luck to all of our prospective students.
• I recently spent a week in South America and was able to visit the veterinary school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and with representatives of the veterinary schools in Corrientes and Salvador. I also visited several equine veterinary hospitals. Kawell in Pilar is a modern, well-equipped equine hospital, modeled after Rood and Riddle in Lexington, with a comprehensive equine rehabilitation center, modeled after Kesmark Rehabilitation Center in Lexington. It had swimming pool with an underground viewing window, aqua treadmill, hyperbaric chamber, digital imaging, scintigraphy, and more. At every stop, there was interest in building on existing collaborations and relationships or creating new ones.
• The CVM will host a delegation of faculty from one of the veterinary schools in Japan on Jan. 23rd and 24th. Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies, Dr. Bhanu Chowdhary, will discuss with our guests a number of opportunities for collaboration and shared learning. If you see our guests in the college, please extend them a warm welcome to Aggieland.
• This will be the final edition of Dean's Corner for 2011. I hope you have a Happy Holiday season and take the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. I look forward to an exciting upcoming year and will see you all again in 2012!

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