As 2025 comes to an end, here’s a look back at what happened this past year in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
January
Dr. Jodi McGill, the John G. Salsbury Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medicine and associate professor of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine, was named the associate dean of research and graduate studies in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
February
The Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) student chapter received the “Most Innovative Award” at the recent National VBMA Meeting in Dallas. The Iowa State chapter was selected for their “Paws on Practice Ownership” events which provided College of Veterinary Medicine students the opportunity to visit local veterinary clinics.
March
For the fourth straight year, the College of Veterinary Medicine rose in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings. In 2025, Iowa State was ranked 12th overall in the world rankings and sixth among U.S. veterinary schools.
April
The College of Veterinary Medicine has received Accredited status from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE). Every seven years, Iowa State undergoes an extensive review of its facilities and programs and is assessed on 11 standards including organization, finances, physical facilities and equipment, clinical resources, information resources, students, admission, faculty, curriculum, research programs, and outcomes assessment.
May
The College of Veterinary Medicine presented awards and scholarships to the DVM graduating class of 2025.
June
A $5 million gift commitment from Scott and Angie State is launching a transformational expansion of the Large Animal Hospital at the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center, enhancing care for equine patients and advancing clinical services that matter to clients across the region. “A growing equine industry in Iowa has led to the need for an equine facilities expansion that will elevate the college’s capabilities to provide services to clients, educate the next generation of veterinarians and conduct cutting-edge clinical research,” said Dr. Dan Grooms, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “We are deeply grateful for Scott and Angie’s support of our vision for the Large Animal Hospital expansion.”
July
The faculty and staff at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory processed an all-time record of 130,104 cases and 1,732,676 tests in fiscal year 2025. Last year also saw the VDL staff achieve a single-day record as well in the almost 80-year history of the testing facility. On April 9, 2025, the VDL team processed a total of 973 case accessions containing of samples from 8,061 unique patient IDs. All the testing was fully completed with results going out the same day.
August
The presidents of Iowa State University, Kansas State University and University College Dublin signed a memorandum of cooperation and understanding Aug. 22 to establish an academic exchange program and foster research collaboration between the three colleges of veterinary medicine.
September
Dr. Pat Gorden, professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, was named the 2025 recipient of the Zoetis Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP).
October
The College of Veterinary Medicine recognized five graduates with its alumni awards during Homecoming including…
- Stange Award for Meritorious Service – Chris Chase(’80), professor emeritus at South Dakota State University, and Dr. Steven Hansen, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Humane Society
- William P. Switzer Award in Veterinary Medicine – Dr. Gayle Brown (PhD ’99), faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine
- Lorraine J. Hoffman Graduate Alumni Award – Hans Coetzee (PhD ’05), vice president for research at Kansas State University.
- Outstanding Young Alumni Award – Chris Sievers (‘16), partner at Swine Vet Center.
November
Dr. Molly Lee, associate director and lead public health veterinarian in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was named the director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH) and the executive director of the Institute for International Cooperation of Veterinary Medicine (IICAB).
December
Dr. Jessica Ward, professor of veterinary clinical sciences and the Phyllis M. Clark Endowed Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was named the college’s associate dean for academic programs.