During his 26 year career in veterinary medicine, Douglas Freeman has been a private practitioner, researcher, professor, administrator of clinical and diagnostic services and an academic department head at North Dakota State University.
Beginning in March, he will add college dean to his list of professional credentials.
Last month, the University of Saskatchewan’s board of governors announced that Freeman will take over as dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine beginning March 1.
He will replace Dr. Charles Rhodes, who served as WCVM dean since 2002 and has been with the college for 39 years.
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Freeman, who will serve a five-year term, will become the sixth dean in the college’s 45-year history.
Freeman said he is thrilled to join the WCVM, calling the college an outstanding school with talent in a broad range of veterinary programs.
“I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students and friends of the vet college in addressing current challenges and opportunities in veterinary medicine,” he said.
Freeman completed a doctor of veterinary medicine degree, a clinical residency and a master of science degree in theriogenology at the University of Minnesota.
Theriogenology deals with animal reproductive systems.
He also received a PhD in reproductive physiology from the University of Idaho and held positions at academic institutions in the United States and overseas.
Since 2001, he has served as a professor and head of two academic departments – veterinary diagnostic services and veterinary and microbiological services – at North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D.
He is also a past-president of the American College of Theriogenologists and sits on the board of directors of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
Brett Fairbairn, U of S provost and vice-president, said Freeman’s wide range of experience, his approachable personality and his collaborative manner made him an excellent fit as WCVM dean.
“These qualities will serve him well in his new role as one of Canada’s key leaders in veterinary education, animal health, public health and food safety,” Fairbairn said.
About 400 undergraduate and graduate students from Western Canada study at the WCVM.
The college recently completed $71 million worth of renovations that included additions to the veterinary teaching hospital, diagnostics area and research laboratories.
