Dr. Michael Blackwell, dean of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a Tuskegee alumnus, will serve as the commencement speaker for the 2002 Auburn University veterinary graduation. It will be held May 7 at 6 p.m. in the AU student activities center on the main campus.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Blackwell back in Alabama for a visit,” said Dr. Timothy  Boosinger, AU veterinary dean. “He has accomplished much in his career and we look forward to sharing his insight on our profession.”

Dr. Blackwell was named the University of Tennessee veterinary dean in 2000 after a career in public health, in which he rose to the rank of assistant surgeon general of the U.S. Public Health Service.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1973 and doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1975, both from Tuskegee University. He also received a master of public health degree in 1981 from Loma Linda University as well as certification in epidemiology from the U.S. Public Health Service.

Beginning with the presidency of the student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association at Tuskegee in 1973-74, he has served in numerous leadership roles.

He worked in private practice in Oklahoma before joining the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. He became chief veterinarian of the Public Health Service and deputy director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine in 1994. In 1999, he was named chief of staff, Office of the Surgeon General.

He has been awarded the Public Health Service's highest and second highest awards: the Distinguished Service Medal in 2000 and the Meritorious Service Medal in 1998. In 1999, he was named the Public Health Service's Veterinarian of the Year and awarded the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal.