The College of Veterinary Medicine has named one of its professors to the Salsbury Endowment Chair, a prestigious position within the college.

In an announcement on May 1, James A. Roth, professor of veterinary medicine, was awarded the position, which will provide funding for his teaching and research projects.

Endowment chairs are positions that enhance a university’s ability to attract the best scholars and researchers, according to Phyllis Peters, professor of veterinary medicine and member of the endowment chair selection committee.

She said the endowment is a source of revenue to supplement college support for teaching and research activities for the faculty member who holds the endowed chair.

“Ultimately, the endowments give the resources to bring people in to help further the research that the professor is working on,” Peters said. “This is not money that goes into his pocket, but is given to research that enhances the stature of cultural, animal and human health.”

Roth researches cattle and swine immunity to infectious diseases. He has been a faculty member since 1977, during which time he has twice received the college’s two top outstanding teaching awards.

“With the prestige and support linked to this chair, we are confident that Dr. Roth’s work will bring added recognition to the highly-productive research that is being conducted by veterinary scientists in excess of our college,” said Richard Ross, professor of veterinary medicine, in a press release from the college.

Roth, a native of Hartwick, earned his D.V.M., M.S. and Ph.D. from ISU’s college of Veterinary Medicine.

Roth said he is appreciative of the award.

“Support from the Salsbury Endowment Chair will enable me to expand my research in developing a vaccine to provide immunity for a respiratory virus that causes diseases in young calves,” he said. “It is a great honor, and one that I am glad to receive.”

The Salsbury Chair originally was created from a $1 million gift from John and Doris Salsbury of Montana. John Salsbury was a 1940 graduate of the Veterinary Medicine College. He originally is from Charles City.

The gift initially was pledged as a challenge to veterinary medicine alumni and friends to raise $1 million to assist in creating an endowed chair.

Over $1 million was raised to match the money that the Salsburys donated. The first endowment was named for Frank Ramsey, a veterinary pathologist at ISU who died in 1992. Harley W. Moon was recruited to fill the Ramsey Chair two years ago.

The recipient of the chair is decided upon through an application process, a committee assessment and approval from various ISU administrators, including President Martin Jischke.