Longtime Michigan State University veterinary professor Dan Grooms, DVM, Ph.D., DACVM, has been named the Stephen G. Juelsgaard dean of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He will start in Ames, Iowa, on Oct 1.
“Dr. Grooms is an accomplished scientist, teacher and leader who will build on the college’s reputation for excellence and the great achievements of our students, faculty and staff,” said Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen, Ph.D. “I am confident he will also work effectively with veterinarians across the state, livestock and poultry producers, and others who share our passion for animal and human health.”
Dr. Grooms, an expert in bovine infectious diseases, was hired at Michigan State in 1997 and promoted to chairman of the department of large animal clinical sciences in 2014. He is a former president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and served on the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s Committee on Animal Health, Iowa State reported.
In a statement posted on MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine website, Dr. Grooms said he was “excited about working with the ISU team in support of their missions and moving our profession forward.”
“Like MSU, ISU holds many of the ideals and core values that are attractive to me. Their commitment to the land grant missions and serving society broadly are much like the commitments that we have here at MSU.
“Although I am looking forward to this new challenge, it comes with a sense of sadness as I will be leaving MSU, which has been our families’ home for more than 21 years. When you spend that much time in a community, your roots are deep and your friendships enduring. The sense of sadness really hit home Monday evening as I sat in the garage of a cattle farmer up in North East Michigan who I have known for probably 20 years.
“I will very much miss MSU and the college, and most of all, the people. Although we always face challenges, I can say with certainty that the people of the college community are outstanding and I am proud to call each and every one of you my colleagues and my friend. I would also like to say that the opportunity to become the dean at Iowa State was not because of me, but it was because of everyone I have worked and interacted with during my 30-or-so-years as a veterinarian. So, thank you for being great colleagues.”