Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine names new dean

Mississippi State University (MSU) announced that Nicholas Frank, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, was tapped as the new dean of MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Frank will join MSU after serving 6 years as the associate dean for academic affairs and professor at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

“We conducted a thorough national search and, in that process, interviewed some of the nation’s best veterinary medicine university administrators. After extensive review of these outstanding candidates and with due consideration of the vital importance of Mississippi’s farming and agribusiness interests to our state’s economy,” said Mark E. Keenum, president of MSU, in an organizational release.¹

Nicholas Frank, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM (Image courtesy of Mississippi State University)

“I am convinced that in Nicholas Frank we found a dynamic leader who has extensive experience in both large and small animal veterinary medicine teaching and research. He also understands and shares our commitment to providing exemplary service and support to Mississippi’s farmers and ranchers, poultry producers, and equine interests.”

According to the release, Frank was appointed after a competitive and comprehensive national search that was completed in conjunction with an advisory committee, which consisted of Keenum, MSU academic leaders, CVM faculty, and university and industry/farming community stakeholders. As of May 11, 2023, the selection is still pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

“The search committee was impressed that Frank has spent his career in equine medicine and brings a wealth of experience in large animal veterinary practice. From his service at Purdue University and the University of Tennessee, he also brings extensive experience with the land-grant university mission,” explained David R. Shaw, MSU provost and executive vice president.¹

Frank was born and raised in the United Kingdom and traveled to the University of North Carolina for his undergraduate degree in biology. He then pursued his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Purdue University, where he then completed an internship in large animal medicine and surgery and residency. In 2000, he became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Medicine in large animal internal medicine. He then earned his PhD in equine endocrinology and nutrition from Purdue in 2002.

“It is an honor to have been selected as the next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. I look forward to working with all members of the community to advance veterinary medicine, support agriculture, and further the mission of Mississippi State University,” concluded Frank.

Reference

Experienced large animal expert Frank named dean of MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. News release. Mississippi State University. May 11, 2023. Accessed May 15, 2023. https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2023/05/experienced-large-animal-expert-frank-named-dean-msus-college-veterinary?_ga=2.85857296.885215310.1684170145-1590605217.1683569329