Jan. 18, 2013

Patricia Lowrie has been selected to receive a Lifetime Achievement award during the 2013 All-University Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards presentation on Friday, February 15, 2013. This award recognizes her remarkable efforts and long history of outstanding accomplishments in the areas of diversity, pluralism and social justice.

Lowrie, senior advisor to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and director of the MSU Women’s Resource Center, is a long-time champion of diversity and inclusion in the veterinary profession. She has received numerous awards for her advocacy and in 2012 the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) named its minority scholarship fund in honor of Ms. Lowrie.

"Pat Lowrie is a very distinguished colleague who has made a lifetime commitment to the promotion of equity, access, and excellence for students, faculty and professionals from diverse backgrounds,” says Judi Brown Clarke, PhD, diversity director at the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action. “She has ‘walked the talk’ in all aspects of her career and embodies the qualities for this prestigious award,” continued Clarke, who submitted Lowrie’s name for the honor. The nomination was supported by Robert F. Banks, PhD, associate provost and associate vice president for Academic Human Resources emeritus; Wanda Lipscomb, PhD, senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion and associate dean for student affairs, College of Human Medicine; and Christopher M. Brown, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM, dean, College of Veterinary Medicine.

The College of Veterinary Medicine has built a more inclusive environment with the guidance of Lowrie. “Pat has been, and continues to be, an important advocate for creating a more inclusive environment,” says Brown. “She has been a force for change at the CVM and across the campus. Through her work on the Multicultural Affairs Committee of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), she has influenced veterinary education across the country.”

The Vetward Bound program is one example of Lowrie’s innovative work. She founded and serves as the principal investigator and project director for the program, which is designed to recruit and assist underrepresented students interested in pursuing veterinary medical careers. The program hosts draws students from across the country, as well as international students. It has received federal funding for more than 30 years.

The award will be presented to Lowrie by President Lou Anna Simon at the 2013 All-University Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards event on Friday, February 15, 2013, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at 4:00 p.m.

Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, a world-renowned institute of veterinary education, strives to develop a diverse academic community that fosters scholarly activity and encourages exemplary human qualities. The College imparts the art and science of veterinary medicine to its students, which is expanded by research, and extended to the public for the benefit of animal and human health. With more than 100 years of teaching excellence, CVM continues to prepare leaders, life-savers, and world changers to meet the challenges of Michigan, the nation, and the world.