First “A&M System Day” in Washington, D.C., exceeds expectations

Texas A&M University-Texarkana President Stephen Hensley, Texas A&M University-Commerce President Keith McFarland and Texas A&M University-Kingsville President Rumaldo Juarez were among the 16 A&M System CEOs in attendance.

The “A&M System Day” held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 5-6 “exceeded all expectations,” and likely will become a regular event, according to Chancellor Michael D. McKinney, M.D.

“The A&M System, unlike any other educational system in Texas, serves people in all 32 Congressional districts in Texas,” said Lee Peddicord, vice chancellor for research and federal relations. “This new event was intended to make policymakers at the national level aware of the strengths and capabilities of our universities, agencies and health science center, and to express our appreciation to everyone on Capitol Hill and elsewhere in government for their efforts on our behalf.”

More than 250 members of Congress, staffers, representatives from federal agencies, and individuals from organizations in and around Washington who support the System’s federal initiatives attended a reception in their honor on Feb. 5. Chancellor McKinney and the CEO’s of 16 A&M System members also attended, as did D.C.-area graduates of System universities.

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Veterinarians take on new role: first responders for food supply

As the number of animal and animal-to-human diseases increases, so does the potential for the introduction of one of these agents into the nation’s food supply.

When most people think about first responders, they conjure up images of firemen, paramedics and policemen. The events of 9/11 brought these community heroes and their stories into the limelight. However, for many years, another group of professionals has quietly been serving our country by protecting its food supply—the food animal veterinarian.

This special group of veterinary practitioners specializes in the care of cattle, swine, sheep, goats and poultry and has historically worked to ensure the health of food animals from conception to consumption. With the heightened level of security, the food animal veterinarian can now be counted among first responders.

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