(February 15, 2011 Stillwater, OK) – In recognition of his contributions to veterinary medicine, Dr. Michael D. Lorenz, dean of Oklahoma State University's Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, was named 2011 Veterinarian of the Year by the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association at its annual awards program held recently in Oklahoma City.

Lorenz, a 1969 graduate of OSU's veterinary college, is the first alumnus to return and serve as the veterinary center's dean. A native of Kremlin, Okla., he has been an important part of OSU's academic fabric for nearly 20 years.

After graduating with his DVM degree, Lorenz went on to receive specialty training at Cornell University and earned board certification in Veterinary Internal Medicine (Small Animal) in 1976. He served on the faculties of Cornell University and the University of Georgia before accepting the deanship at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (1988-1994). He returned to Stillwater in 1997, joining the OSU veterinary faculty as Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. From 2001 to 2004, he served as interim dean and in 2004, Lorenz was appointed dean of the veterinary center.

His colleagues describe him as being a strong leader, fair in his decisions and effective in his role. Outside of veterinary medicine, he is active in the community serving in the Rotary Club, the First United Methodist Church of Stillwater and the Stillwater United Way Board.

His colleague and Professor Emeritus, Dr. Sidney Ewing, nominated Lorenz for the award and says of him, "...he is a man of integrity, a good person who has given generously of himself to help others in our profession and outside it."

Throughout his career Lorenz has had a positive impact on the veterinary medical profession in Oklahoma, throughout the nation and around the world. Lorenz has recently announced that he will step down as dean of the veterinary center and a search is currently underway for the next dean.

Once the new person is on board, Lorenz plans to finish his career "...the way I started – being a good dog doctor and continuing to teach tomorrow's veterinarians."

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. The center's Boren Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.

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