Shuping Zhang, Sherri Oliver and Richard Antweiler have been named the recipients of the 2021 Dean’s Impact Awards. The annual awards, established in 1993, honor faculty, staff or individuals from outside of the college for sustained and significant positive impact on University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine programs. The recipients were announced at the May 24 CVM town hall meeting via Zoom.
Shuping Zhang, PhD, was named the recipient of the faculty Impact Award for her service to the CVM since 2013. Zhang serves as the MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory director and a CVM professor. During her time at the CVM, Zhang has made numerous noteworthy accomplishments, including capturing national spotlight by being elected president of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, a world leading organization in advancing the discipline of veterinary diagnostic laboratory science. Additionally, Zhang played a part in establishing the MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory as a level one facility within the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and a tier one Food and Drug Administration response unit to respond during disease outbreaks. Zhang is also currently leading the way to build a new VMDL, which will benefit the state of Missouri for the next 20 years. A nomination letter for Zhang reads, “Her work has been both outstanding and sustained. In addition, she has met and overcome insurmountable problems.”
Sherri Oliver, PhD, PMP, was named the recipient of the staff Impact Award for her service to the CVM since 2003. Oliver has served the CVM for nearly 20 years, first as a postdoctoral fellow, then as a laboratory supervisor, grant writer, and currently a research administrator, a position she has held since 2013. Oliver helps lead the CVM grants team, working on proposal management and organization, as well as proposal development, budget development, proposal submission, grant writing and grant revision. Oliver, who had multiple nomination letters submitted on her behalf, is known for managing a substantial workload, while still offering help to faculty. A nomination letter for Oliver reads, “As a former researcher, Sherri is able to talk to faculty at a very technical level, however, she is also very helpful and nurturing of everyone’s ideas. While she is a rather quiet individual, she is often quiet because she is simply working extremely hard, but always available to help somebody out.” Another reads, “She embodies a culture of helping others advance research locally, nationally, and globally by serving our research development professionals at MU. …Her dedication has helped us transcend many different barriers to create robust research programs aimed to spur new discovery.”
Richard Antweiler, the executive director of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, is the recipient of the Impact Award for an individual outside the college, who has made significant contributions. As executive director, he has been known for the unwavering support that he has provided students, staff and faculty at the CVM, as well as his constant willingness to help students throughout their veterinary education, from beginning to end. A nomination letter for Antweiler reads, “I cannot think of an individual more deserving of the recognition for their sustained and selfless contributions to the veterinary profession and the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine than Mr. Antweiler. He is determined, positive, and thoughtful in his actions and words and is a consummate professional.”
By Nick Childress
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