Inside Iowa State

July 2, 2004

Veterinary Medicine dean candidate visits campus

Dr. John Thomson, a candidate for dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, was on campus June 30 and July 1. Thomson is dean of veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University, Starkville, and a former Iowa State faculty member.

Thomson presented his vision for the college and his views on diversity during a July 1 open forum.

Norm Cheville, current dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, will retire in mid-August.

Thomson earned his D.V.M. degree from ISU in 1967, and was in private practice in Clearfield for 20 years. He was on the faculty of South Dakota State University, Brookings, from 1987 to 1997, serving as extension veterinarian, professor and head of veterinary science, and director of the South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. Thomson was a professor and section leader of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at ISU from 1997 until 1999, when he was named dean at Mississippi State.

A clinical epidemiologist, Thomson has conducted extensive research in several areas related to bovine production and health. He has served as an adviser to the World Health Organization on the assessment of brucellosis in humans and animals. Thomson was Veterinarian of the Year in both South Dakota (1993) and Mississippi (2003). Last year, he initiated and facilitated the development of the National Veterinary Services Act that was passed unanimously by both houses of the U.S. Congress in November.

Thomson was a professor and section leader of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at ISU from 1997 until 1999.