Dr. E. Dean Gage Appointed to Charles H. and Mildred Kruse Bridges Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medical Education

College Station, TX - Dr. H. Richard Adams, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, is pleased to announce that Dr. E. Dean Gage has been appointed to the Charles H. and Mildred Kruse Bridges Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medical Education.  The chair is believed to be the first chair in North America specifically devoted to advancing the future of veterinary medical education.

Over the past 30 years, Gage's extensive leadership experience has included positions as Executive Vice President, Provost and Interim President of Texas A&M University, as well as numerous other professional, academic and civic leadership roles.

"I have had the fortunate opportunity to work in all aspects of the educational process, including undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. This opportunity will allow the College of Veterinary Medicine to examine all we do - from student selection, content of the curriculum, methodologies, technologies, classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences - and enhance them to produce the very best graduates and impact the veterinary medical profession for years to come," said Gage.

Gage earned a Bachelor of Science in 1965 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1966, both from Texas A&M University. He obtained a Master of Science and Residency in Neurosurgery and Neurophysiology in 1968 from Auburn University. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, was named National Veterinarian of the Year in 1983 by the American Animal Hospital Association, and holds membership in many professional organizations and honor societies. Gage has held numerous leadership roles in some of America's leading universities and in the community.

Gage has published over 70 scientific papers, contributed to five textbooks and given more than 150 papers and presentations to professional, scientific and educational associations. Since 1994, he has delivered over 100 presentations on the character of leadership to executives, corporations, governmental entities, religious groups and professional organizations. He currently serves as Associate Dean for Professional Academic Programs in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University.

"The College is truly fortunate to have someone as accomplished as Dr. Gage as the first Charles H. and Mildred Kruse Bridges Chair in Veterinary Medical Education," said Dean H. Richard Adams. "He brings tremendous experience and passion for veterinary medicine, the college and our students. This chair will contribute significantly to the college's leadership role in veterinary medicine and veterinary medical education."

Dr. Bridges, a retired CVM faculty, and Mildred, his wife, established the chair in 2000.

"We do this in appreciation of and desire to support the pursuit of knowledge by the young people that come here seeking the guidance of dedicated mentors," said Charles and Mildred Kruse Bridges. "We also do this to honor our parents, Charles M. Bridges and Mary Ann Carruth Bridges, and Eddie F. Kruse and Bertha Quebe Kruse, all deceased but still influential in our lives."

"I would like to express deep appreciation to the college for the trust and confidence they've placed in me in this appointment, and much gratitude to Charles H. and Mildred Kruse Bridges for funding this endowed chair and for their vision to see what a chair in veterinary medical education can do for this college and the profession," said Gage. "We owe them a great debt of thanks."

The purpose of the Chair is to facilitate curriculum and faculty development while taking innovative approaches to the education of veterinarians prepared for the challenges of the profession.

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

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Angela G. Clendenin
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