Veterinary college welcomes new administrator

Columbia, Mo.

- A long-time professor and chairman at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine is taking over the post of academic affairs associate dean this fall to make sure the school's curriculum matches the fast-changing pace of the profession.

"The half-life [in veterinary medicine] used to be seven years. It's probably five years now," says Dr. Robert Youngquist, who has worked at the college for 36 years. "The curriculum must change to meet the evolving needs of veterinary practice."

Youngquist recently was appointed to the position by MU College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Neil Olson and will take over Sept. 1 for Dr. John Dodam, who will become the chairman of the college's veterinary medicine and surgery department.

A native of Odebolt, Iowa, Youngquist earned his DVM at Iowa State University in 1971 and worked as an associate veterinarian in Minnesota. He planned only to accept a two-year residency at MU College in theriogenology before returning to Minnesota for a career as a dairy practioner but never made it, according to the school. Instead, he's worked for nearly four decades as a professor of veterinary medicine and surgery, coordinator of the Food Animal Hospital, instructional leader in theriogenology, director of graduate studies, interim associate chairman and acting chairman of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.