Texas A&M Association Of Former Students Honors VMBS Faculty Members For Outstanding Teaching, Mentoring
Story by Megan Bennett, VMBS Communications
The Texas A&M Association of Former Students has recognized two College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) faculty members with College-Level Teaching Awards for their excellence as teachers and mentors.
Drs. Sara Lawhon and Randolph Stewart were selected as award recipients by their faculty peers for their high expectations for students, the academic rigor in their classrooms, and their responsibility in motivating and contributing to the overall success of their students.
“I am proud to recognize and celebrate two of our teaching colleagues for their unwavering dedication to education and mentorship,” said Dr. Bonnie Rush, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Drs. Lawhon and Stewart play pivotal roles in shaping the academic and professional growth of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students and graduate trainees. I thank them both for their commitment to Texas A&M University’s Core Values and their dedication to advancing our college’s mission through excellence in education, research, and service.”
Dr. Sara Lawhon
Lawhon is a professor and the associate department head for teaching in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Pathobiology. She contributes to several courses in the DVM curriculum, including Agents of Disease, Organ Dysfunction, Research & Discovery in Veterinary Medicine, and Clinical Diagnostics.
“Dr. Lawhon’s teaching exemplifies innovation and a deep commitment to student success, seamlessly integrating foundational knowledge with real-world clinical application,” one nominator said.
Her teaching expertise has made an impact beyond the VMBS as well through case-based learning modules developed in collaboration with the Texas A&M Center for Educational Technologies.
“These resources have significantly strengthened antimicrobial stewardship education and contributed to national efforts to address antimicrobial resistance,” one nominator said. “Her sustained scholarly contributions and commitment to educational excellence have positioned her as a national leader in integrating antimicrobial stewardship into the DVM curriculum.”
Outside of the classroom, Lawhon directs the Clinical Microbiology & Immunology Laboratory within the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital — providing DVM students and veterinary residents with hands-on diagnostic experience — and conducts impactful research on various subjects within the field of microbiology.
She has also been recognized with the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award, the Bridges Teaching and Service Award, and John H. Milliff 1928 Memorial Award for Teaching, the Students of the American Veterinary Medical Association Teaching Excellence Award, and many more.
“Dr. Lawhon sets clear expectations and check-in points in order for students to develop self-sufficiency in education and research while always feeling supported and driven to achieve, qualities from which I have personally experienced and benefited,” said one former student. “Beyond my own invaluable experiences working with Dr. Lawhon, I often was witness to her interacting directly with her other students and can attest to the care and attention she showed each one. I carry her methods and attitude forward with me in my career and know many others do as well.”
Dr. Randolph Stewart
Stewart, a clinical professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology (VTPP), is a key instructor of physiology for both DVM and graduate students. He also supports undergraduate student learning by providing authentic research experiences that have resulted in abstracts, posters, and manuscripts.
“As a professor, Dr. Stewart provides students the opportunity to be involved in — and, ultimately, take charge of and be responsible for — their own learning,” one nominator said. “This is truly transformational teaching that is exceptionally well-received and supported by DVM students.”
In the physiology teaching laboratory, Stewart often goes above and beyond to ensure that his students achieve full understanding of complex physiological concepts. He even designed and built a working model of the cardiovascular system from transparent tubing, valves, and syringes.
“Dr. Stewart’s commitment to student success is evident in his mentoring of those who struggle,” one nominator said. “Rather than lowering expectations, he helps students rise to meet them — providing clarity, structure, and encouragement that empowers learners to persist through difficulty. The lasting testament to his impact is found in the careers of the thousands of veterinary students he has taught and mentored.”
Stewart freely volunteers his time to support students and his fellow faculty members, including be serving on the VMBS Curriculum Committee, the VMBS and VTPP Promotion & Tenure Committees, the Clinical Research Review Committee, and more.
Stewart previously received the Association of Former Students’ College-Level Teaching Award in 2001 and has also been recognized with the VMBS’ Richard H. Davis Teaching Award, as a Texas A&M University Regents Fellow, and more.
“Dr. Stewart has a rare talent for explaining difficult topics in a way that feels accessible,” one former student said. “He made complex physiology interesting and clinically applicable by using real-world examples to help bridge the gap between theory and practice. It’s clear that he takes real joy in helping us grow into thoughtful, competent veterinarians, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to learn from him.”
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Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216
