November 9, 2017
College of Veterinary Medicine presents annual teaching awards
Three faculty members have been recognized for preclinical teaching excellence in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.
Robert Larson, Lisa Pohlman and Emily Reppert were each named as the respective top teachers for the first, second and third years of instruction, as voted on by each respective class of students at the end of the 2016-2017 school year.
"These pre-clinical teaching awards began in 2004 as part of an effort by the college to recognize exceptional teaching at every stage of the veterinary curriculum," said Peggy Schmidt, associate dean for academic programs and student affairs. "Students have chosen these faculty for their exceptional teaching and dedication to student learning. This year's recipients are outstanding educators and well deserving of this recognition."
Larson was named as the recipient of the 2017 Boeringer Ingelheim Teaching Excellence Award, which is presented in recognition of outstanding instruction of first-year veterinary students. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1987 and a doctorate in 1992, both from K-State. He has been a professor of food animal production medicine since 2006 and holds the Coleman chair in food animal/production medicine. Larson is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, American College of Animal Nutrition and American College of Theriogenlogy.
"I have the privilege to teach highly motivated and talented students," Larson said. "I feel blessed to be able to have a career where my love for veterinary medicine and my enjoyment of seeing bright students comprehend challenging subjects are rewarded on a daily basis. I am confident that our profession is in very capable hands when I think about the next generation of veterinarians who are being trained at Kansas State University."
Pohlman was given the 2017 Teaching Excellence in the Second Year Award in recognition of outstanding instruction of second-year veterinary students. She is currently on sabbatical and will be presented with the award at a later date. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Guelph, Canada, in 2001 and a master's degree from Auburn University in 2007. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
"I want to express tremendous thanks to the class of 2019 for selecting me for this award; it was an absolute pleasure to teach you," Pohlman said. "It is wonderful to be able to teach veterinary students in a discipline that I am so passionate about. I would also like to express my gratitude to the team I had behind me in putting this course together — the clinical pathology group, Gina Scott and Mal Hoover — for all their assistance and creativity."
Reppert received the 2017 Teaching Excellence in the Third Year Award sponsored by Zoetis. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2010. She then completed an internship and a residency in food animal internal medicine and surgery at Oklahoma State University. While at Oklahoma State University, Reppert completed a master's degree in 2014.
"I am incredibly flattered to be honored with this award and would like to thank the students for selecting me," Reppert said. "I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with faculty and house officers that are dedicated to training the very best veterinarians."