Iowa State dean to step down in 2011

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Dr. John U. Thomson

Dr. John U. Thomson won't be going very far next year when he changes jobs.

The dean of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine will step down from his position Jan. 1, 2011. From there he intends to serve on the Iowa State faculty, focusing on outcomes-based medicine and best production animal practices.

Dr. Thomson has been dean at ISU since August 2004.

Under his leadership, the college regained full accreditation by the AVMA Council on Education, launched a cooperative program with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for veterinary education, and completed the $48 million Dr. W. Eugene and Linda Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Thomson has also facilitated acquiring the funding and planning for a $45.1 million expansion and renovation of the small animal hospital, which is expected to be finished in 2012.

Elizabeth Hoffman, Iowa State executive vice president and provost, said a national search for Dr. Thomson's replacement will begin in March.

A 1967 graduate of ISU, Dr. Thomson was in mixed animal private practice in Iowa for 20 years and served in administrative positions for more than 20 years at South Dakota State University, Mississippi State University, and Iowa State. Prior to coming to Iowa State, he was dean at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine from 1999-2004. A clinical epidemiologist, Dr. Thomson was named Veterinarian of the Year in Iowa, South Dakota, and Mississippi.

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