Ross University's veterinary dean to step down in September

St. Kitts —

David J. DeYoung, DVM, will step down as dean of Ross University's School of Veterinary Medicine on Sept. 30, 2011.

On May 9, his title changes to dean emeritus, and he will serve in an advisory role with the university.

In 2003, DeYoung accepted the dean's position. In that time period, he has focused on improving the university's veterinary programs academically and structurally, the veterinary school reports. His retirement announcement came on the heels of receiving full accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) earlier this year.

"DeYoung was responsible for focusing the school's mission on research and academic programs to meet the AVMA COE standards," the university says."Dean DeYoung would be the first to tell you he didn't do it alone, but his leadership and vision is the reason this program is so successful today," says Thomas C. Shepherd, DHA, president of Ross University.

The university is working with an international executive search firm to identify candidates for the position. Gil Burns, DVM, the current dean for Faculty and Academic Programs, will serve as interim dean following DeYoung's departure.