April-May 2012

The College of Veterinary Medicine has named three of its graduates as 2012 Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni in honor of their contributions to animal welfare, the profession, and their communities.

Dwight F. Wolfe, H.B. “Woody” Bartlett of Pike Road, Ala., and William Mack Burriss of Anderson, S.C., are the recipients.  The awards were presented May 8 during the college’s graduation ceremony held at the Auburn Arena. 

In 2011 Dr. Wolfe, a food animal professor, received the David E. Bartlett Award for his contributions to theriogenology. In 2010 he received the College of Veterinary Medicine Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence and in 2009 the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association presented him their Distinguished Service Award, the association’s highest honor. He was inducted into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame in 2006 and named Alabama Veterinarian of the Year in 2004. The D.F. Wolfe Food Animal Barn on the veterinary campus is dedicated in his name.

Dr. Wolfe obtained his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn in 1977 and his M.S. in large animal surgery and medicine in 1982. He became a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists in 1983. Wolfe is one of only four diplomates who have served as president of both the American College of Theriogenologists and the Society of Theriogenology.

The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and Nuovo Biologics, a biotechnology company, have announced a collaborative research agreement to study a new anti-cancer drug which also has antiviral properties.

Scientists with the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer at the College of Veterinary Medicine will be working with Nuovo Biologics to examine the anti-tumor properties of this new drug. These studies will look at the drug from the perspective of its interactions with cells, as well as in clinical trials in dogs with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Preliminary studies have shown that the drug appears to be safe, with no side effects and active against a wide variety of viruses.

“This agreement exemplifies how Auburn University scientists, working with biotech and pharmaceutical industries, can provide expertise to move exciting new discoveries from the laboratory into the clinic,” said AURIC director Dr. Bruce Smith.

The Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, or AURIC, embodies the “One Medicine” concept which links human, animal and environmental health and where discoveries in one species advance health in all species. For more information on the initiative, go to http://auriconline.org/.

Nuovo Biologics, LLC is a Florida-based animal health company dedicated to the development of drugs, biologics and supplements to enhance animal health and wellness.

The executive board of the American Veterinary Medical Association has granted provisional recognition for the veterinary parasitology specialty under the auspices of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM). 

David G. Pugh, D.V.M., is one of approximately 20 veterinary parasitologists designated as charter members of ACVM. Pugh is now board-certified in three AVMA recognized specialties – along with ACVM, he is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists and the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists. 

Pugh is a veterinarian with the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Equine Source Plasma Program. Kenny Brock, D.V.M., director of the program recently presented Pugh (shown left) with a plaque noting his ACVM-Parasitology diplomate status.

Distinguished University Professor Byron L. Blagburn is named as an honorary diplomate of ACVM-Parasitology. Honorary diplomate status is based on “unquestioned eminence in veterinary microbiology.” Blagburn is one of five parasitologists approved by the ACVM executive board this first year.

Blagburn instructs first-, third-, and fourth-year students, directs graduate student research, serves as director of the clinical parasitology diagnostic laboratory, and oversees a research program which focuses on parasite-induced diseases of companion animals.

The College of Veterinary Medicine presented the 2012 Young Achiever awards on April 13 during the 105^th Annual Conference. 

The awards are given to one or more members of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine class celebrating its tenth anniversary. Nominees are known for their accomplishments in veterinary medicine, their outstanding community service, and for their advancement of animal health.

Two class of 2002 members who received Young Achiever awards are CVM faculty members:

	Board-certified in theriogenology, Dr. Robyn Wilborn serves as an assistant professor in Auburn’s Large Animal Teaching Hospital and as co-director of the Equine Reproduction Center.
	Dr. Soren Rodning is extension veterinarian and an assistant professor with the College of Agriculture. He recently served a year-long deployment in Afghanistan as part of the 358thMedical Detachment (Veterinary Services).

The Office of the Provost has approved Dr. Linda Martin to receive the P.B. Griffin Professorship in Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Dougie Macintire previously held the endowed professorship established by Joyce and the late Gary Griffin of Huntsville in memory of their bulldog P.B. This professorship is one of two created by the Griffin family.

Dr. Martin is an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences.

Attending the CVM May 2 orientation session were: front row, Brandy Brunson, lecturer, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology; and Robbie Lynn Burnett, anesthesia tech, Clinical Sciences. Back row, Kelley Prickett, info tech specialist, Information and Instructional Technology; Cedric Gaffney, animal care attendant, Scott-Ritchey Research Center; William (Webb) Bush, inventory clerk, Clinical Sciences; and Haden Smith, surgery tech, Clinical Sciences. 

The Auburn University Waste Reduction and Recycling Department is distributing new recycling bins on our campus. The Campus Building Recycling Guide explains the program in detail. The new program requires the separation of materials instead of mixing all recycling in one bin. 

• Blue desk-side bins are for mixed paper ONLY. The label on the bin lists acceptable types of paper. 
• Slim-jim bins are centrally located on each floor for recycling plastic bottles (types #1 & #2 only), and aluminum/steel/tin cans.  Please empty containers before placing them in the bin (caps are okay). 
• Cardboard boxes can be flattened and placed beside a bin for pickup by the custodial crew. 
• Please bag all shredded paper.

The Centaur custodial crew will service the desk-side bins daily (separately from trash) and the slim-jim bins as they fill.  In each office, trash bins should have a black bag and the blue mixed paper recycling bin should have no bag.  There are centralized 95-gallon bins outside where the custodial crew will bring the material when they remove it from the building.  The recycling staff services the outdoor bins on a weekly schedule.

Questions and comments regarding the recycling program are welcome – please email aureuse@auburn.edu or call 844-9461.

The CVM exercise program provides a 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. yoga class with Dr. Wadsworth every Monday and Thursday in Overton Auditorium.  It’s a great way to relax/stretch/take a mental break. Mats are provided if you don’t have your own.  

In promoting the philosophy of being a Healthy Tiger, you are encouraged to take a look at the Campus Recreation Summer Group Fitness Class Schedule. These classes are not only for students, but Auburn University employees as well. The fees to participate are minimal. Classes are held in the Student Activities Center in Room 205 or Room 207B. 

Client Parking

The half circle in front of Greene Hall is now client parking. To avoid tickets from Parking Services, please remind your guests and visitors to park in the large student parking lot or other designated areas. 

Overton Exterior

Roof work continues with an estimated finish date around June 1.

Overton Interior

Painted areas will be skimmed and wall coverings reapplied.  A recent meeting with engineers and contractors regarding the boiler revealed improperly located control set points.  These will be corrected which will lower the boiler pressure and prevent valve pop off. 

SATH Site

Contractors are removing underground water lines, sidewalks, and light poles, and digging out the lower level. Results from the diesel soil samples were positive which means another 100 to 150 cubic yards of soil will need to be removed and retested. Major coordination of activities will be needed when the crane arrives for placement around May 29.  A crane will be erected around May 29.  This is an extremely dangerous activity and will necessitate the closure of the pedestrian walkway for approximately three days.  More information will follow.

Additional Parking Areas

Three additional parking areas are in progress.  This will result in approximately 20 spaces.