AVMA Presidents

COLLEGE STATION, Mar. 11, 2005 - Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has a unique dual distinction - that of having a professor and a student head the top two veterinary posts in the country.

Travis McDermott, a third-year veterinary student from La Grange , will be installed as the student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) president at the association's 2005 symposium Friday and Saturday (March 11-12) at Texas A&M University . Dr. Bonnie Beaver will continue to serve as President of the AVMA through the association's 2005 meeting in Minneapolis , Minn. , July 16-20.

As student AVMA president, McDermott will attend AVMA executive board meetings, serve as a delegate to the AVMA governing board and participate on the AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee.

McDermott is also serving as manager of this year's SAVMA symposium. The symposium will give approximately 2,000 students from around the globe a chance to experience the professionalism and hospitality of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The event consists of lectures on the latest veterinary topics and hands-on wet labs given by experts in their field. Academic and athletic competitions will allow students to show off their muscles and their brains.

Saturday evening caps off with a keynote address by national TV celebrity Jeff Corwin, two-time Emmy winner of Animal Planet Network's wildlife adventure series The Jeff Corwin Experience. The symposium concludes with a "Lone Star Gala" at the Hilton Conference Center .

Beaver has served as the president of the American Veterinary Medical Association since July. She is only the second woman and the eighth veterinarian from Texas to serve as the president of the 141-year-old, 70,000-plus member organization. Beaver is focusing on three key areas during her term as president - excellence, communication and animal welfare.

"As health care professionals," said Beaver, "we are expected to deliver the highest quality of veterinary medicine in the private and public practice areas. For a small profession, we have a lot of responsibility. We serve two publics," she added, "the animals and the people."

Established in 1916, the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences is one of the world's leading institutions in animal health care and research.

Contact Information:
Angela G. Clendenin
Director, Communications & Public Relations
Ofc - (979) 862-2675
Cell - (979) 739-5718