Athens, Ga. – Karen Cornell, associate professor of small animal surgery, received the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award, the highest honor for teaching in the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, last Friday at the veterinary college’s annual Honors and Awards Celebration at the Classic Center. Students from the class of 2008 nominated Cornell for the award, and she was chosen from among five nominees based on her character, leadership and teaching ability. The Norden Award is sponsored by Pfizer and includes an engraved plaque and a gift of $1,000.
“Dr. Cornell is a truly innovative teacher whose connection with our veterinary students is acknowledged appropriately by this prestigious award,” said Dean Sheila W. Allen.
Numerous other faculty and students from the veterinary college, along with scholarship donors and recipients also were honored for their contributions and dedication to learning and teaching. Generous donors have created or contributed to scholarships to support the education of more than one-quarter of the college’s students, with funds amounting to more than $225,000.
Each class of students annually recognizes a member of the faculty whom the students feel has contributed most to their education. The awardees this year are: Class of 2009, Richard Wooley, professor of infectious diseases; Class of 2008, Karen Cornell; Class of 2007, Amelia Woolums, associate professor of large animal medicine and surgery; and Class of 2006, Marc Kent, assistant professor of neurology and small animal medicine and surgery.
Travis Tull, class of 2006, was awarded the Dean Emeritus Thomas J. Jones Cup. This award is given to an outstanding fourth-year student in the top 10 percent of his class, and is selected on the basis of personality, professional proficiency and scholastic achievement. Tull received a $1,000 scholarship, and his name will be engraved on a gold cup displayed in the college. Tull also received a scholarship from the American Association of Equine Practitioners and American Live Stock Insurance, awarded to only eight veterinary students throughout the U.S. and Canada; the Merck Veterinary Student Award for outstanding senior veterinary medical students; and a certificate of merit for proficiency in large animal medicine and surgery.
“I am delighted that Travis won this award,” said Andy Parks, department head of large animal medicine. “He’s dedicated, hardworking, very bright, and clinically he’s very capable. He’s got an excellent internship coming up in Lexington, Ky., and he’s also the sort of person we’d love to have back someday.”
Randy B. Eggleston, assistant professor of large animal surgery, agrees. “I would say that Travis is all-around an excellent student and will be an outstanding veterinarian. He is deserving of the award, and he sets a great example for UGA students.”
Anna Hubbard, class of 2006, was awarded the Faculty Scholastic Plaque and Clifford E. Westerfield Award. This award includes an engraved plaque, a certificate and a $100 gift, and is presented to the student with the highest academic average for her entire four years at the college. Hubbard also was awarded the Merck Veterinary Student Award and the Outstanding Student Award from Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture.
“Anna Hubbard maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average in our College during her veterinary training,” said Scott A. Brown, acting associate dean for academic affairs at the veterinary college. “This is indeed a rare and remarkable achievement.”
Alpharetta resident and teaching hospital client India Watson was awarded the college’s 2006 Distinguished Service Award for her exceptional service to the college in the past year. Watson’s horse, Justin, was successfully treated at the college’s large animal teaching hospital. Grateful for the outstanding treatment Justin received, she began the Justin Seminar Series to increase connections between the horse community in Georgia and South Carolina and the college’s large animal medicine and surgery faculty. She also created and donated a “success stories” calendar to promote and raise funds for the large animal teaching hospital.
“India Watson is very deserving of this service award,” said John Peroni, professor of large animal medicine and surgery. “She organized the Justin Seminar Series with the intent to meet and educate our client base, and to obtain recognition and support for the continued development of the large animal teaching hospital. The seminars have been instrumental in connecting local referring veterinarians, horse owners, and the teaching hospital’s clinicians.”
The veterinary college’s staff awards will be presented at the college’s annual staff appreciation luncheon in mid-May.
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting research to improve the health of animals as well as people. The College enrolls 96 students each fall out of more than 550 who apply. It has more than 135 faculty members.
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Note to editors: Pictures of the award winners are available on the following Web site: http://www.vet.uga.edu/communications/photos.php