Friday, January 25, 2019

Nineteen Named to Serve on Inaugural Dean’s Council

L-R-Dr. Mac Huddleston, Dr. Kent Hoblet, Dr. Bob Filgo, Dr. Rebekah List, Lynn Spruill, Karen McCord, Dr. Mikell Davis, Dr. Susie Taylor, Stephen Imes, Dr. Mike Johnson, Dr. Wanda West, Dr. David Dale, Dr. Betsy Lipscomb, John Lewis, Dr. Kevin Smith, Mike McCormick, Dr. Ron McLaughlin, Dr. Paula Schuerer.

In the fall of 2018, MSU CVM Dean Kent Hoblet announced the initiation of nineteen distinguished members to the first-ever CVM Dean’s Council. The council was established to assist the dean in key areas of promotion, growth, and sustainability of the college by providing strategic, non-binding advice regarding vision, direction, and long-term planning of the college, as well as assisting in acquiring resources from private, corporate, state and federal levels and assisting with the student recruitment efforts of the college. In addition, the council will serve in an advisory capacity for the marketing and public relations efforts of the college and as an advocate of the college to university administration, the State of Mississippi, and as appropriate, on a national level.

“Having guidance, support and feedback from a group of individuals with a strong connection to the college, genuine interest in its mission and sincere concern for its continued success is most certainly beneficial to all of us in leadership roles here at the CVM,” Dr. Hoblet said. “We’re thankful for their willingness to serve and the input they will provide.”

Selected by the dean in consultation with his senior leadership team, plans are for council members to serve five-year terms (with the initial group serving staggered terms to avoid complete turnover), and the council chairman serving a two-year term. The council will meet in the fall and spring each year, and members can be reappointed indefinitely by mutual agreement between them and the dean.
According to Dr. Hoblet, the council’s initial meeting was held October 11-12, 2018. Members were greeted with a reception the evening they arrived and received an informative overview of the CVM presented the following day by the dean, associate dean, development staff, communications team, faculty members and students.

The council will meet again in March, when they will hear about the CVM’s recently awarded $15M USAID grant for the Feed the Future Fish Innovation Lab, tour the Veterinary Specialty Center and receive an update on the interview and admissions process for the incoming DVM class.
For additional information about the Dean’s Council, call (662)325-1131. Individual members will also be featured in future issues of Pegasus Press.