Tuskegee University News July 29, 2015 Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine Receives the AVMA President’s Award TUSKEGEE, Ala. - The Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine (TUSVM) was one of three recipients of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) President’s Award. TUSVM was recognized for its promotion of diversity and inclusion. The school was honored by outgoing AVMA President Dr. Ted Cohn, also a TUSVM alumnus, during the 152nd annual convention which was held on July 10-14 in Boston, Mass. Cohn received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University in 1975. He devoted more than 35 years of service to the veterinary medical profession including serving as the president of the AVMA for 2014-2015. Cohn celebrated his 40th reunion class year at his alma mater’s 50th Annual Veterinary Medical Symposium this past March. He was also recognized during this year’s symposium for serving as the president of the AVMA. The AVMA president annually gives this award to individuals or groups who have made a positive impact on health, veterinary organizations, and the profession. The other recipients were the Army Veterinary Corps and Dr. Ralph Johnson, executive director of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. “It is an honor to be recognized by the AVMA for our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Being the only veterinary school located at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) has allowed us the privilege to be the leader among graduating the nation’s largest percentage of black veterinarians, a claim we are very proud to make,” said Dr. Ruby Perry, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health. “However, just as significant and important to us is the claim that we are also the leader in that we are the most diverse among the 30 veterinary schools in the United States. TUSVM has educated about 70% of the Nation’s African American veterinarians and about 10% of Hispanic veterinarians. Our focus is to be inclusive and play a significant role in educating underrepresented groups needed to address the growing veterinary needs in a diverse national and global population.” About the AVMA The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 86,500 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.