The end of the academic year is a time for celebration; another year of memories, of breakthroughs in learning, and of hard-earned achievements. The 2021 Achievement Awards ceremony was conducted virtually on May 6, honoring the year's milestones from students, residents, interns, staff, faculty, and other members of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine community. Here, you'll find some of the achievements recognized.

On-the-Spot awardees are employees who contribute significantly to the greater good or mission of the College or University. This can be through actions both simple and grand.  The award also honors actions that are beyond what is normally encompassed in the job duties or responsibilities, or may recognize an individual for performing their duties in an extraordinary fashion. These are the winners of On-the-Spot awards for the past year.

The Krehbiel Distinguished Staff Award, created by Dr. Janver and Mrs. Linda Krehbiel, is granted to a staff member who exemplifies excellence in overall job performance, and has outstanding interpersonal skills and working relationships that contribute to the overall climate, morale, and professionalism of their unit or department. Nominees should also display innovation and offer valuable service within their unit, department or the college as a whole.

The 2021 recipient is Colette Zulu, who was lauded by her team at the Office of Research and Graduate Programs for her innovation, valuable service, and dedication to the community.

Recipients have received their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from the Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and are held in high esteem by their colleagues for their achievements in practice, teaching, research, service, or organized veterinary medicine.

The awards are conferred in two categories. One goes to an individual who has distinguished himself or herself in private practice for a sustained period of time and who has added great value to the veterinary community through excellence in practice, exemplary professionalism, and outstanding service. The other goes to an individual who similarly has excelled in public practice with government, corporate, military, or academic entities and added significant value to the profession and to his or her organization.

Practitioner: Jennifer Welser, DVM, DACVO
Global Chief Medical Officer, Mars Veterinary Health

Dr. Jennifer Welser received her DVM degree from MSU in 1996. Following veterinary school, Jennifer went onto a small animal rotating internship at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and then became board certified in ophthalmology following her residency in a private practice setting and comparative program at University of Illinois - Chicago.

Prior to her role at Mars Veterinary Health, Jennifer was a private practice owner in California for 5 years, multispecialty practice medical director in New York City, and Chief Medical Officer at BluePearl Veterinary Partners. Jennifer also holds a patent for a single-use disposable ophthalmic medication applicator called UnoDose, which she hopes to bring one day to market.

In her current role as global Chief Medical Officer at Mars Veterinary Health, Jennifer sits on both the North America and International and Diagnostics MVH leadership teams, where she provides the veterinary perspective on behalf of more than 9,000 MVH veterinarians across the globe. She partners with practice chief medical officers to oversee medical quality and medical operations at all MVH practices, including Banfield, BluePearl and VCA in the US; Linnaeus in the UK and AniCura in Europe as well as Antech Diagnostics and hospitals in Asia.

Jennifer serves on the MVH Sustainability Steering Committee as well as the Mars, Inc Technology Committee. She also oversees education, medical quality and various Medical Affairs Councils focused on advancing veterinary science and research, providing world-class education, and supporting MVH veterinary teams. A board member of the Veterinary Innovation Council, Jennifer has an interest in expanding veterinary technician education opportunities and is an advocate for new and innovative approaches to meet the needs of veterinary professionals, clients, and pets.

Jennifer has a passion for women in leadership and is a sought-after speaker on the topic. She has always held a has a keen interest in sustainability and environmental topics and is dedicated to advancing the veterinary industry in a manner that serves all – people, pets, and planet. Jennifer currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her partner, Andrew, and their two dogs and a cat.

Practitioner: Frederick A. Zydeck, DVM
Retired, Small Animal Private Practitioner

Dr. Frederick Zydeck earned his DVM degree from MSU in 1966. After graduation he worked for Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, during which he held the titles of University Animal Care Officer, Director of the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, and Chairman of the Department of Comparative Medicine. While at Wayne State University, he applied for and was awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a diagnostic laboratory for animals within the School of Medicine, and taught graduate courses as an Assistant Professor.

After six years at Wayne State University, Dr. Zydeck went into private small animal practice, founding Nine Mile Road Veterinary Clinic in Southfield, Michigan. By the time he retired in 1999, Dr. Zydeck had owned and operated five successful small animal practices in Southeast Michigan. While in practice, Dr. Zydeck served in consulting roles with numerous institutions in Southeast Michigan using animals in biomedical research. He has served in various leadership capacities with veterinary organizations, including as a founding member of the First Veterinary Clinics of Michigan group, and Allied Veterinary Emergency Service. After retirement, Dr. Zydeck has worked with Veterinary Practice Sales Group to help veterinarians retire from practice and sell their businesses. As class president of his DVM Class of 1966, he has organized a class reunion for his class every five years since graduation, a responsibility that he has held in great honor.

Non-practitioner: Samuel Wallace Tate, DVM, MPH
Retired, Air Force Veterinary Corps

Dr. Samuel Tate earned his DVM degree from MSU in 1967. Following graduation, Dr. Tate entered active duty in the Air Force Veterinary Corps, starting a long career of providing veterinary services in the military. He served many assignments all over the world which included the following: Chief Veterinary Services to Toy Hoa AB, Vietnam; Defense Logistics Agency stock points at United Kingdom Subsistence Center (UKSC), London, England; Naval Supply Depot (NSD) Guam; Naval Supply Center (NSC), Charleston, South Carolina; and Chief Environment Health Services at Ramstein AB, Germany and Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina. At UKSC, NSD, and NSC, Dr. Tate also served as Chief Veterinary Services of the Air Force and Naval Hospital and advised the medical commanders on matters related to zoonotic diseases.

In 1981, US Congress directed that the Army Veterinary Corps be the executive agent for all veterinary activities in the Department of Defense. Dr. Tate was selected to represent the Navy Surgeon General, Commander of Navy Supply Systems Command, and the Marine Corps Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics on the committee chaired by the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. He was responsible for transferring Air Force responsibilities and personnel authorizations for 28 Navy and Marine bases to the Army Veterinary Corps within one year. Thus ended Dr. Tate’s three consecutive assignments and nine consecutive years attached to the US Navy, more than any other veterinarian in the history of the Air Force Veterinary Corps. Dr. Tate retired from the Air Force in 1987 at the rank of Major.

In retirement, Dr. Tate has been active in organized veterinary medicine. He was a member of the Greater Peninsula Veterinary Medical Associate (GPVMA) from 1988 to 2019, serving as Secretary/Treasurer for six years and then Director to represent the GPVMA on the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA) Board for 18 years. He currently serves as the VVMA Director to the Virginia State Animal Response Team (VASART) Board since 2008. For 13 years he served on the Board of Directors for Peninsula Emergency Clinic and was their Vice President one year. He is also an active member of the Peninsula Medical Reserve Corps serving as Volunteer Coordinator of Veterinary Activities.

The recipient is a non-alumnus member of the College community who has been both distinctive and distinguished in one or more of the College’s mission areas: teaching, research, or service.

Colleen Cosgrove Hegg, PhD
Associate Professor and Director, CMIB Graduate Program, MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Colleen Cosgrove Hegg is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Director of the Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology (CMIB) Graduate Program at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hegg took on a role as the basic science representative on the steering committee that helped craft the reinvented curriculum in 2017. Once the new curriculum was approved, she joined the CVM Curriculum Committee to oversee and develop the learner-centered curriculum.

Dr. Hegg is very mindful of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and has infused DEI content into the pre-clinical curriculum, as well as the CMIB program. To increase retention of a diverse student body, she created a peer mentoring program, and has added professional development activities such as a grant writing course, a course and workshops aimed at scientific writing, individualized development plans, and the use of professional social media tools (e.g., LinkedIn) to prepare students to meet challenges of the 21st century. Dr. Hegg earned her PhD in Environmental Toxicology and Neurotoxicology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1996.

Recipients of the Distinguished Postdoctoral Alumni Award have either received a master’s degree or doctor of philosophy degree under the direction of a member of the faculty, or completed an internship or residency training program at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Stuart Sleight, DVM, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Stuart Sleight has earned three degrees from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his DVM degree in 1951, a MS degree in pathology in 1959, and a PhD degree in pathology in 1961.

After earning his advanced degrees, Dr. Sleight became a faculty member in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine pathology department in 1961. Until his retirement in 1993, he thoroughly enjoyed teaching veterinary students and advising graduate students who earned advanced degrees under his direction. He especially appreciated working with international students. Dr. Sleight has co-authored over 80 research publications throughout his career.

In 2010, Dr. Sleight and his late wife, Gerry, established the Stuart and Gerry Sleight Endowed Scholarship Fund to support veterinary students. The endowment agreement states, “It is hoped that this endowed scholarship fund will be able to provide much needed help for many worthy students in the College of Veterinary Medicine and serve as a lasting memorial for the Sleight family.” Dr. Sleight has been very involved in the 4-H community throughout his life.

The recipient of the Distinguished Veterinary Technology Alumni Award has received a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology or a Certificate of Completion in Veterinary Technology from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and has excelled in practice, teaching, research, service, or organized veterinary medicine.

Lynne Elizabeth Johnson (ATCT ’76)
Retired, Veterinary Technician and Industry Practice Professional

Lynne Johnson received her animal technology certificate from MSU in 1976, and has had a varied career spanning academics, teaching, industry, private practice, patient care, research, and continuing education.

After receiving her certificate, Lynne became an Instructor, Supervisor, and Research Technician at Michigan State University and the University of California at Davis, where she provided primary medical skills instruction to veterinary and veterinary technician students and clinical support to faculty. Lynne has served in many other roles during her career, including Veterinary Education Manager with IDEXX Laboratories, Territory Manager with Zoetis Animal Health (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) – Equine, and Practice Manager with Hinckley Animal Hospital. She also served as Editor in Chief for Today’s Veterinary Nurse Journal.

In 2003, Lynne became the first veterinary technician to serve as a Director and in 2013, became the first veterinary technician to become President of the Board of Directors for the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). She has authored or contributed to over 20 publications, and has presented at many national and international professional meetings.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award aims to recognize a single individual from the College community—faculty, staff, student, or alumni—for contributions to diversity and inclusion in alignment with the College’s values and strategic plan.

Susan Ewart, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Dr. Ewart, professor of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, leads the Biomedical Research for University Students in Health Sciences Summer Research Program, which has introduced almost 100 students from underrepresented populations to veterinary medicine and biomedical science. Dr. Ewart also has played large roles in the College's Pages and Pixels media discussion groups (in which participants dissect anti-racism-themed books and movies) and the Tools for Tough Conversations on Racism town halls. She advises the College's BIPOC club and serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Previously, she was awarded the Excellence in Diversity (Individual) Award from the MSU Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives.

The Unsung Hero Award exemplifies the spirit of the College. This year's inaugural recipients, through their hard work and selflessness, go above and beyond what is asked of them. These individuals have shown commitment and passion for our community regardless of leadership position and positively impact those around them.

Stephanie Smith-Edwards, Industrial Hygienist, Environmental Health and Safety (embedded in the College of Veterinary Medicine)
Margaret "Maggie" Bodiya, Veterinary Nurse Supervisor in Anesthesia and Instructor in the Veterinary Nursing Program

In addition to awards granted by the College of Veterinary Medicine, our staff and faculty have been honored by the University and other organizations for their work and achievements.