Five Outstanding Grads Named Veterinary Distinguished Alumni

Five outstanding alumni of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University have been honored at campus ceremonies for their professional achievements. The 2006 award recipients are Jock R. Collins of Houston, Thomas B. Hairgrove of Haskell, Billy B. Hancock of Fort Dodge, IA, D. Reid Patterson of Bonita Springs, FL and Horace A. "Bud" Smith of Brenham.

The college annually recognizes former students who have contributed to society through the veterinary profession in a way that has brought recognition to themselves and, thereby, to the college and the university.

"Each of these alumni has represented the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and the veterinary medical profession with great distinction," said H. Richard Adams, dean of the college. "We are proud to recognize their outstanding accomplishments."

Collins, Class of 1957, practiced medicine for almost 40 years after a short career as a federal regulatory veterinarian both in Animal Inspection and Quarantine and as a USDA meat inspector. Collins was named the 1988 Outstanding Companion Animal Practitioner of the Year by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA). Since his retirement from clinical practice, Collins has devoted much of his time to environmental concerns and the impending world energy shortage. His love of science, research and development has led to numerous patents for materials and energy savings devices and delivery systems, colleagues note.

Hairgrove, Class of 1974, is an active promoter of cooperative efforts between the veterinary medical profession and the beef industry. He was one of the first practitioners to embrace the Texas Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. Hairgrove received the 2002 Veterinary Diagnostician of the Year Award by the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and the 2004 Merial Preventative Medicine Award. He is a member of numerous veterinary associations and serves on several state and national committees that focus on animal disease and prevention.

Soon after graduation, Hancock, Class of 1951, joined Fort Dodge Laboratories where he assisted in the testing of the hog cholera vaccine and in developing important animal health drugs including Nolvasan. He obtained his MS in 1957 and PhD in 1960 while at Ohio State University and advanced to assistant professor. Throughout his career, Hancock has been involved with production and regulatory responsibilities related to the animal health industry as Director of Production for American Scientific Laboratories and then as vice president of production at Fort Dodge. Hancock has also served as an evaluator of national policies and procedures related to drugs for animal health.

Patterson, Class of 1969, has served in numerous high-ranking positions within global healthcare companies, managing as many as 400 professional and technical pharmaceutical specialists. Patterson has broad international experience, including worldwide regulatory, scientific and managerial responsibilities for preclinical and metabolic issues. He received his PhD in 1976 in Comparative Pathology and is a board certified diplomate in three different specialties including laboratory animal medicine (DACLAM, 1976), veterinary pathology (DACVP, 1978) and general toxicology (DABT, 1981). He now operates his own consulting business as a resource for companies that conduct pharmaceutical safety testing.

Smith, Class of 1966, has had multiple leadership roles in a wide variety of veterinary organizations and public interest entities. He joined the Brenham Veterinary Hospital in 1966 and practiced there until 1995. Smith was named the1994 Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) Equine Practitioner of the Year and remains an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), TVMA and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). He is involved with youth in his community and often gives to talks to local 4-H and FFA groups. Smith was instrumental in formulating the strategic plan the college's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. He also serves on the college's development council and on the Rural Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund committee.

Contact Information:
Angela G. Clendenin
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