A 60-Year Tradition of Excellent Education Continues

STILLWATER, Okla.—During the 60th Anniversary of the Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, it is no surprise that some of this year’s teaching award winners are repeat recipients. The college prides itself on hiring the best faculty to continue its tradition of graduating competent, confident, practice-ready veterinarians. Faculty were honored recently at the Veterinary College’s Annual Awards Banquet.

Each year the students vote by class year and select the teacher they feel is most dedicated and enthusiastic about the veterinary training they provide for the students. This year’s winners are Drs. Jim Lish (1st year), Susan Little (2nd year), Lyndi Gilliam (3rd year) and Justin Thomason (4th year).




Dr. Jim Lish has been teaching Comparative Anatomy for seven years and has won the Outstanding Year 1 Instructor Award six times! He is also a recipient of the Regents Distinguished Teaching Award and the Norden Distinguished Teaching Award during his tenure with the Veterinary College.

“I endeavor to always be fair and consistent, letting the students know exactly what I expect from them,” says Lish. “Beyond that, I try to make anatomy fun. I really enjoy the one-on-one contact with small groups of students that teaching anatomy offers. The freshman students are great to work with.”

Dr. Susan Little is a two-time recipient of a class outstanding instructor award. She is a Veterinary Pathobiology professor and holds the Krull-Ewing Endowed Chair in Veterinary Parasitology.




Dr. Lyndi Gilliam is an assistant professor in Equine Internal Medicine with the Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department. Last year the 4th year students voted her Outstanding Instructor and this year the 3rd year students chose her for their class’ Outstanding Instructor Award.




Dr. Justin Thomason is a first-time recipient as this is his first year working at Oklahoma State. A 2002 graduate, he returned to his alma mater earlier this year as an assistant professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine. It’s clear by the vote of confidence from the 4th year veterinary students, that he has already made a positive impression with his expertise and instruction.




The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association.