MU College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Neil C. Olson selected two individuals from within the college and a state senator for recognition to receive a 2016 Dean’s Impact Award May 18. The awards, established in 1993, are presented for outstanding and sustained impact on the College of Veterinary Medicine. One to three individuals, usually a staff member, faculty member and individual from outside of the college, may be selected annually based on major contributions that have had significant positive impact on college programs.
The honorees received an engraved crystal plaque presented during a reception that also recognized staff members who achieved milestones in their years of service to the University of Missouri. This year’s Impact Award winners were Debbie Tate, Jeffrey Bryan, DVM, MS, PhD, and Missouri Senator Dan Brown, DVM.
Tate is an oncology technician and clinical trials coordinator for the oncology service. She joined the college in 1990. She has served on numerous committees, including the hospital advisor board, and has been asked to moderate the technician exam for the American College of Internal Medicine 2016 Conference. Commended by her nominators for working to further her own knowledge and skills, Tate earned a Veterinary Technician Specialist certification in oncology in 2015.
Bryan is an associate professor of oncology and serves as the director of both the Comparative Oncology and Epigenetics Laboratory and the Scott Endowed Program in Veterinary Oncology. He is also the president of the American College of Internal Medicine specialty of oncology. Bryan was credited with improving the quality and recognition of the oncology department, as well furthering collaboration at MU and bringing the college to the forefront of nuclear medicine research.
Brown earned his DVM at the college in 1977. He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2008 and the Missouri Senate in 2010 representing District 16. He has served on numerous legislative committees including Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources; Appropriations; Education; Veterans Affairs and Health; Joint Committee on Life Sciences and Joint Committee on MO Health Net. He has been an advocate for veterinary medicine and a supporter of the college, and is credited with helping to fund the Dr. Merrill Townley Large Animal Veterinary Student Loan Program.
The following staff members were also recognized for their years of service to the university:
Dean’s Office:
Bob Atkins, 5 years
Barb Calvin, 10 years
Doug Tindall, 10 years
Jennifer Hamilton, 15 years
Tim Nieuwenhuizen, 15 years
Kathy Seay, 35 years
Dale Lenger, 40 years
Biomedical Sciences:
Tom Childs, 15 years
Miles Tanner, 15 years
Karol Dinwiddie, 20 years
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory:
Kirk Thompson, 5 years
Cheryl Rojas, 20 years
Karen Huggins, 25 years
Veterinary Medicine and Surgery:
Melody Canote, 5 years
Kevin Lunceford, 5 years
Raquel Riddle, 5 years
Elizabeth Wood, 5 years
Kassia Miller, 10 years
Leslie Simmons, 10 years
Nora Vance, 15 years
Mary Romesburg, 30 years
Bonita Hyler, 35 years
Veterinary Pathobiology:
Jamie Rhoades, 5 years
Shelly Nail, 10 years
Juyuan Guo, 15 years
Miriam Hankins, 15 years
Kim Livingston, 15 years
Armedia O’Neill, 15 years
Darlene Ward, 30 years
The MU College of Veterinary Medicine is Missouri’s only institution that confers the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Thank you for exploring how you can partner with us to make a positive difference in the lives of animals and people.