Donald Draper, a nationally recognized leader in veterinary education, is the new associate dean for academic and student affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

A professor of biomedical sciences, Draper assumed the position Thursday. He has been interim associate dean since January 2003.

“Dr. Draper is an award-winning teacher who is recognized nationally as a leader in veterinary education,” said Norman Cheville, dean of Veterinary Medicine, in a written statement.

“With his extensive experience in academic affairs, Dr. Draper will continue to provide outstanding leadership for the college.”

Draper’s responsibilities will include determining academic standards of the college, the future course of the curriculum, admissions, recruiting, retention and student clubs.

Draper, who held the position of associate dean from 1990 to 1993, has been an ISU faculty member for 34 years. He’s the author of more than 40 research publications on animal behavior, canine genetic diseases, porcine stress syndrome and veterinary ethics.

During his career, he taught a veterinary ethics course for 10 years.

He teamed up with other faculty and made veterinary ethics a requirement at Iowa State — the first college to do so.

“Now all veterinary colleges require an ethics class,” Draper said. “Prior to this requirement, several of us faculty members had seminars on veterinary ethics, which eventually evolved into the current course.”

Afterwards, he served as the president of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics in 2000-2001.

Draper said he is excited for future improvements that await the College of Veterinary Medicine. He said he expects a large enhancement in services the school will provide to clients and veterinarians around the state.

“We’re currently working on a funding opportunity to add and renovate portions of diagnostic lab and vet teaching hospital,” he said.

Draper earned his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Iowa State in 1966 and his master’s of business administration from Iowa State in 1997.

Tim Day, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, said Draper’s leadership will move the college forward.

“Don is a natural leader and has a compelling personality,” he said. “The university administration has shown they care about student issues by putting Don in that position.”