Nation's most prestigious national veterinary teaching award to College of Veterinary Medicine's Steven Stockham
Friday, Dec. 23, 2016
MANHATTAN — A Kansas State University professor emeritus is receiving the 2016 Distinguished Teacher Award from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and presented by Zoetis.
Steven Stockham, professor of veterinary clinical pathology in the university's College of Veterinary Medicine, will be officially presented the honor at the association's annual conference and Iverson Bell Symposium, March 10-12, 2017, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The award, which is considered the most prestigious national teaching award in veterinary medicine, recognizes excellence in professional veterinary medical education and is presented to an educator whose sustained record of teaching excellence and ability, dedication, character and leadership has contributed significantly to the advancement of the profession.
"I've had the distinct privilege, great pleasure and professional responsibility of introducing highly motivated and very intelligent veterinary students to the pathogeneses of abnormal laboratory data and the related diagnostic-reasoning skills," Stockham said. "I cannot think of a better way to end my academic career at K-State than by being recognized for what I attempted to do each year — provide relevant educational experiences for our future veterinarians. I'm very fortunate to receive this award considering the nominated teachers who have the same goal."
Tammy Beckham, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said the honor is one well-earned by Stockham.
"His dedication and enthusiasm as an educator have combined to provide a truly unmatched learning experience for our students," Beckham said. "This award serves as a wonderful tribute for his contributions throughout his career."
Stockham, who retired earlier this year, consistently received high student reviews and earned more than 30 teaching awards throughout a 36-year teaching career. His teaching philosophy involved engaging and motivating students through real-life clinical situations, allowing them to acquire clinical reasoning skills that lead to rewarding, lifelong professional careers.
"Dr. Stockham has been an outstanding teacher and mentor, as well as a true asset to our department and college," said M.M. Chengappa, head of the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "It says a lot about him as an instructor and as a person that the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges has recognized him on a national level among so many talented peers. This is a very well-deserved award, and we have been extremely fortunate to have had a person of his caliber in our department."
The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people and the environment around the world by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Members include 49 accredited veterinary medical colleges in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean Basin, Europe, Australia and Mexico.
