Dr. Mike Strain (LSU '83) will be the next commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, effective Jan. 14. Since 2000, Dr. Strain has served in the Louisiana House of Representatives. He and his wife, Dr. Susan Strain (LSU '84), own and operate the Claiborne Hill Veterinary Hospital. He continues to work in his family's cattle ranching business.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine selected Mary Behan, PhD, as the new associate dean for research and graduate training, effective Nov. 19, 2007. Dr. Behan joined the faculty of the Department of Comparative Biosciences in 1981. Her current research investigates the influence of gender and age on respiratory function. She teaches veterinary neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.

Dr. Beth A. Hamper (MIN '03) was named the first Hill's Pet Nutrition Fellow in Clinical Nutrition at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in October 2007. Dr. Hamper is a nutrition resident in small animal medicine at the veterinary college. She previously spent time as a veterinary medical intern, which exposed her to a variety of small animal specialties. She also served as an associate veterinarian providing feline preventive health care and client education.

The European College of Bovine Health Management has named Dr. Allen Roussel (LSU '77) as a de facto diplomate for his experience in bovine medicine and contributions to the field. Dr. Roussel is a professor of large animal clinical sciences at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. He also is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Dr. James L. Cook (MO '94) was the national winner of the "Thank Your Vet for a Healthy Pet" essay contest in 2007 through sponsors Morris Animal Foundation, Merial Ltd., and BowTie Inc. Dr. Cook, who directs the University of Missouri-Columbia Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, was also the regional winner for the Midwest. Michael Ray of Deltona, Fla., and Sherri Rusch of Warrensburg, Mo., each nominated Dr. Cook for performing surgeries to help their dogs.

The other regional winners were: Dr. James Thomas (UP '64), Eagle Veterinary Clinic, Havertown, Pa.; Dr. Bob Encinosa (FL '87), Boyette Animal Hospital, Riverview, Fla.; Dr. Tim R. Stone (PUR '71), Rittiman Road Animal Hospital, San Antonio; and Dr. Thomas R. Nickerson (GA '76), Trinity Animal Hospital, Weaverville, Calif.