Alumnus Heads International Organization

Dr. James W. Carpenter, class of 1974, has been elected president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. Carpenter is a professor of zoological medicine at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

“This is a great honor for me,” Carpenter says. “I served as president of the Association of Zoo Veterinarians in 1998-1999 and never envisioned also being elected president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.”

Carpenter is the only person to serve as president of both of these organizations. While both groups are based in the U.S., approximately 25 percent of each group’s membership is international.

Highly esteemed in his profession and the equine industry, Dr. Leroy Coggins is a true pioneer whose research has significantly improved the practice of veterinary medicine while saving equestrians billions of dollars.

Coggins began conducting research on viruses while a first lieutenant in the Army Veterinary Corps, which he entered after graduating with his DVM degree from OSU in 1957.

He became so intrigued with virus research he decided to go to Cornell University to obtain a graduate degree in veterinary virology. By 1963, Coggins was