For the upcoming year, national policy on the American colleges of veterinary medicine will be influenced primarily by Iowa State’s Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine Richard Ross.

Ross, who received his D.V.M. in 1959 from Iowa State University, was appointed by United States Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to a federal agricultural and veterinary medicine advisory board in early September, said Linda Brinkmeyer, Ross’ secretary.

“He was chosen to represent the colleges of Veterinary Medicine for the nation,” Brinkmeyer said. Ross will represent the interests of American colleges of veterinary medicine on the National Agriculture, Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board, according to a university press release.

Lester M. Crawford, executive director for the American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges (AAVMC) in Washington D.C., said that Ross’s appointment to the committee is a big deal for AAVMC.

“The Department of Agriculture has consolidated their advisory committee into one. It is a 30-member committee representing all aspects of agriculture. There is one space reserved for veterinary medicine and Dr. Ross is the representative for that,” Crawford said.

“On decisions of policy involving research and other aspects of the nation’s agriculture programs, he will be a major voice. On veterinary medicine issues, he will be the voice.”

Crawford, who is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, said that Ross is also the president-elect of AAVMC and a member of the governing board. “He will be president next year. All of the great veterinary medicine deans of history have at one time or another served as president and we’re delighted at his election.”

Ross’s term on the USDA advisory committee will run through Sept. 30, 1997, and he will serve a three-year term as president of AAVMC. “There is a possibility that he will be reappointed for another term,” Crawford said. In the past other charter members have been reappointed, he said.

“It is very important. I don’t know if there is any other parallel in any of the other departments. The consolidation of the committee is unique in government,” Crawford said.

Ross’s name was submitted by the AAVMC in a nomination for the position. “The congress set up the committee by law and on their committee they had a position reserved for AAVMC. It was natural for us because he was the incoming president…therefore, we will have good communication throughout the committee,” Crawford said.

The board, which was authorized by the 1996 Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act (FAIR), will advise the USDA and its land-grant university partners on research, extension and other issues. The board will also nominate individuals to the agricultural research facilities Strategic Planning Task Force and provide advice to implement the Fund for Rural America, a FAIR Act grants program.

Ross, who was appointed as the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine in July of 1993, served as the interim dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992 and 1993. He has won several awards including the American Feed Manufacturer’s Association Award for research in 1995. His research focused on mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and a diplomat for the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists.

Ross’ appointment on the advisory committee is not the first involvement he has had with Glickman. In July, Ross traveled to D.C. and was presented the award for Personal and Professional Achievement from Glickman.