Alumni Recognition


Purpose

The recognition awards are in grateful recognition of the time and effort devoted to advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and for being an exemplary role model for future alumni of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University in a professional and community setting.

Alumni Recognition Awards were instituted by the College of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Medical Alumni Association at Kansas State University in 2001.

Selection

The recipients are selected by the Executive Board of the Veterinary Medical Alumni Association (VMAA), or at the pleasure of the VMAA President, selection may be accomplished by an awards committee established by the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine which includes the VMAA President or his/her designated representative.

Presentation

Recognition awards are presented at each of several major conferences or meetings the college participates in annually. Awardees are chosen and presented awards at the K-State alumni reception in conjunction with a conference or meeting that best represents their life's work and/or community involvement.

American Association of Bovine Practitioners
American Association of Equine Practitioners
American Veterinary Medical Association
Fetch dvm360 (formerly Central Veterinary Conference)
Kansas Veterinary Medical Association
Veterinary Meeting & Expo — VMX (formerly North American Veterinary Conference)
Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association
Western Veterinary Conference

See the following pages for the Alumni Fellow, ER Frank, Distinguished Alumnus and Outstanding Young Alumnus awards.

American Association of Bovine Practitioners
2023 Dr. Wilfred Schuler, 1987
2016 Dr. Susan Keller, 1985
2015 Dr. Mike Apley, 1987
2014 Dr. Alvin Edwards, 1959
Dr. Tom Edwards, 1995
American Association of Equine Practitioners

2023

Dr. Charles Boreson, 1973

2016

Dr. K. Leann Kuebelbeck, 1991
2015 Dr. Brad Jackman, 1987
2014 Dr. Larry Bramlage, 1975
2013 Dr. Richard Bowman, 1975
2012 Dr. Scott Hay, 1988
2011 Dr. Steven Slusher, 1970
2010 Dr. Terry L. Blanchard, 1976
2009 Dr. Charles D. Heinze, 1953
2008 Dr. William "Billy" Bergin, 1967
2007 Dr. Norman Umphenour, 1962
2006 Dr. Manuel Thomas, 1966
2005 Dr. Joseph G. Merriam, 1969
2004 Dr. Dallas O. Goble, 1969
2003 Dr. James Smith, 1958
2002 Dr. James R. Coffman, 1962
2001 Dr. Justin B. Janssen, 1972
2000 Dr. Paul A. Ryding, 1965
American Veterinary Medical Association
2022 Dr. Luis Montaner, 1989
2021 Dr. Molly McCue, 2000
2019 Dr. Niall Finnegan, 1979
2018 Brig. Gen. Erik H. Torring III, 1989
2017 Dr. Russell Hardin, 1946
2016 Dr. Linda K. Johnson, 1983
2015 Dr. Michael J. Gilsdorf, 1974
2013 Dr. Raymond F. Sis, 1957
2012 Dr. David S. Rolfe, 1986
2011 Dr. Carla L. Carleton, 1977
2010 Dr. John Barnes, 1970
2009 Dr. Terry Wollen, 1972
2008

Dr. Arnold S. “Rosy” Rosenwald, 1936

Col. Cliff Walker, DVM, 1982

2007 Dr. Dale F. Schwindaman, 1953
2005

Dr. Alfred Nelson Poindexter Jr., 1945

Dr. Dale K. Sorensen, 1946

2004

Dr. Janver Krehbiel, 1962

Dr. Gordon L. Coppoc, 1963

2003 Dr. Marion T. Szatalowicz, 1951
Dr. F.T. Satalowich, 1961
Dr. Philip Carter, 1926
2002

Dr. Michael L. Whitehair, 1974

Dr. Jack L. Anderson, 1965

2001 Dr. Martha Dunn O'Rourke, 1966
Dr. Gregory S. Hammer, 1973
Fetch dvm360 Conference (formerly Central Veterinary Conference)
2024 Dr. Ralph Richardson, 1970
2022 Dr. Eric Hess, 2002
2021 Dr. James Kenyon, 1975
2019 Dr. John Voegeli, 1980
2018 Dr. Pete Sherlock, 1980
2017 Dr. Kate Perkins, 1993
2016 Drs. Judy and Randall Norton, 1989
2015

Dr. Vern Otte, 1975

Dr. Billy Joe La Rue, 1956

2014 Dr. Jay Hedrick, 1972
2013

Dr. William C. Skaer, 1969

Dr. Christen Skaer, 1999

2012 Dr. Michael Moore, 1968
2011 Dr. Richard Knewtson, 1968
2010 Dr. Kenneth Burton, 1981
2009 Dr. Martin Langhofer, 1975
2008 Dr. Jerry Jaax, 1972
2007 Dr. Robert G. Gillespie, 1961
2006 Dr. James Hall, 1983
2005

Dr. Sam Graham, 1959

Dr. Marvin Samuelson, 1956

2004

Dr. Harry Berrier, 1945

Dr. Lawrence Morehouse, 1952

2003 Dr. Richard E. Webber, 1965
2002 The Bradley Family - Veterinarians in family are:
Dr. William F. "Bill" Bradley, 1953

Dr. Wayne D. Bradley, 1956
Bill's brother

Dr. Roger A. Bradley, 1980
Bill's son

Dr. John S. Bradley, 1987
Bill's son

2001 Dr. John H. Teeter, 1981
Kansas Veterinary Medical Association
2007 Dr. Donald Jackson, 1951
2006 Frey Family
First Generation

Dr. Jesse Frey, 1914
deceased 1987

Second Generation
Dr. Russ Frey, 1952
Jesse’s nephew, deceased 2003

Dr. Merwin Frey, 1956
Russ’s brother

Dr. Martin Frey, 1956
Russ’s brother

Dr. William Griffing, 1944
Jesse’s nephew

Dr. Robert Hentzler, 1943
Russ's cousin
deceased 2003

2005 Mosier Family
First Generation

Dr. Jake Mosier, 1945
deceased 2001

Dr. Ross Mosier, 1952
Dr. Larry Mosier, 1960
Dr. Donald Mosier, 1962
Dr. Steve Mosier, 1966
Second Generation
Dr. Derek Mosier, 1978
Dr. Kelly Mosier, 1982
Dr. Brad Fansher, 1983

Dr. Melissa Schilling
Iowa State University, 1995

2004 Knappenberger Family - Veterinarians in family are:

Dr. Joseph Knappenberger, 1935
deceased in 1992

Dr. Jack Knappenberger, 1939
Joseph's brother
deceased in 1973

Dr. Tom Knappenberger, 1962
Joseph's son

Dr. Todd Knappenberger, 1999
Tom's son

Dr. Elise Knappenberger
Jack's grandchild
University of Georgia, 2000

2003 The Henrikson Family - Veterinarians in family are:

Dr. Merle Henrikson, 1939
deceased in 1990

Dr. Keith D. Henrikson, 1943
Merle's brother

Dr. Duane M. Henrikson, 1967
Merle's son

Dr. Gerald W. Henrikson, 1972
Merle's son

Dr. Todd D. Henrikson, 1998
Duane's son

Dr. Sarah L. Henrikson, 2003
Duane's daughter

2002 The Liebl Family - Veterinarians in family are:
Dr. Elwyn A. Liebl, 1951

Dr. Barbara L. Wensel, 1977
Daughter of Elwyn

Dr. Stephen A. Liebl, 1981
Son of Elwyn

Dr. Thomas G. Liebl, 1985
Son of Elwyn

2001 The Wempe Family - Veterinarians in family are:

Dr. Albert F. Wempe
Kansas City Veterinary College, 1915
deceased in 1984

Dr. Joseph C. Luckeroth
Albert's nephew
St. Joseph University, 1921
deceased in 1959

Dr. Lillis R. Wempe, 1935
Albert's nephew
deceased in 1994

Dr. William W. Wempe, 1942
Albert's nephew

Dr. Leo R. Wempe, 1944
William's brother

Dr. Louis A. Wempe, 1949
Albert's son

Dr. Charles W. Wempe, 1949
Albert's nephew

Dr. Norman C. Luckeroth, 1954
Joseph's son

Dr. Robert M. Wempe
Albert's nephew
University of Minnesota, 1956

Dr. Michael W. Wempe
William's son
University of Missouri, 1972

Dr. John M. Wempe, 1980
Twin son of Robert

Dr. James M. Wempe
Twin son of Robert
Iowa State University, 1980

Dr. David J. Wempe and wife Stacy
Louisiana State University, 1990

Veterinary Meeting & Expo — VMX (formerly North American Veterinary Conference)
2024 Dr. Matthew Edson, 1999
2023 Dr. Walter Colon, 1967
2020 Dr. Osmundo Castilla, 1966
2019 Drs. Timothy and Paula Ulrich, 1990 and 1992
2018 Dr. George Looby, 1958
2017 Dr. Jean Sonnefield, 2000
2016 Dr. Sondra Brown, 1993
2015

Dr. Sam Rivera, 1996

Dr. Lawrence Pultz, 1973
(posthumous tribute)

2014 Dr. Robert Ridgway, 1971
2013 Dr. Bill McBeth, 1981
2012 Dr. George Saperstein, 1978
2011 Dr. Tom Purinton, 1965
2010 Dr. Phil D. Lukert, 1960
2009 Dr. David E. Granstrom, 1978
2008 Dr. Mark P. Nasisse, 1978
2007 Dr. Glen Hurley, 1953
2006 Dr. Ronald Keene, 1965
2005 Dr. Steven Hodes, 1979
2004 Dr. Jane E. Brunt, 1980
2003 Dr. Steven F. Swaim, 1965
2002

Dr. Mark N. Skeels, 1986

Dr. John W. Harvey, 1970

Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association
2022 Dr. David L. Biehl, 1976
2016 Dr. David A. Swerczek, 1969
2015 Dr. Douglas Schwenka, 1988
2014 Dr. Melissa Girard-Lemons, 1999
2013 Dr. Megan M. Ehlers, 1999
2012 Dr. William Rishel, 1973
2011 Dr. Jack Anderson, 1965
2010 Dr. David M. Ylander, 1983
2009

Dr. Overton E. “Doc” Hundley, 1952
(posthumous tribute)

Dr. Randall E. Pedersen, 1965

2008

Dr. James West Carlson, 1959

Dr. Steven Wright, 1974
(posthumous tribute)

2007 Dr. Kenneth Thompson, 1965
2006

Dr. Alexander Hogg, 1950

Dr. Ordella Geisler, 1947

2005 Dr. James Boyd, 1957
Dr. Merton Dierks, 1961
2004

Dr. Harold N. Lange, 1961

Dr. Norman R. Schneider, 1968

2003 The Gigstad Family - Veterinarians in family are:

Dr. Alfred O. Gigstad, 1954
Brother to Dale

Dr. Dale C. Gigstad, 1955

Dr. Alfred O. Gigstad III, 1976
Alfred Senior's son

Dr. James F. Gigstad,1993
Alfred Senior's son

Western Veterinary Conference
2024 Dr. Adam Ruskin, 1990
2023 Dr. Roger Knighton, 1984
2022 Dr. H. Alan Hallman, 1985
2021 Dr. J. David Wheat, 1980
2019 Dr. Lowell Novy, 1960
2018 Dr. Keith Roehr, 1981
2017 Dr. Marshall E. Scott, 1978
2016

Dr. Ross Mosier, 1952
(posthumous tribute)

2015 Dr. Dennis "Denny" E. Hausmann 1971
2014

Dr. Leonard A. Sigdestad, 1967

Dr. Jerry Doornbos,1962
(posthumous tribute)

2013 Dr. James E. Dale, 1967
2012 Dr. Norman Meriweather, 1955
2011 Dr. William G. Kvasnicka, 1956
2010 Dr. Larry Dresher, 1967
2009 Dr. Dale Kinyoun, 1951
2008 Dr. Robert Playter, 1961
2007 Dr. Kenneth Capron, 1965
2006

Dr. Terrence F. McElwain, 1980

Dr. Marion Hammarlund, 1953

2005

Dr. Dean A. Rice, 1974

Dr. Joseph E. Landholm, 1956

2004 Dr. Robert B. Miller, 1955
2003

Dr. W. Bruce Wren, 1968

Dr. Robert H. Featherston, 1958

2002

Dr. Ross D. Clark, 1963

Dr. Michael T. Cavanaugh, 1983

2001

Dr. W. Michael Simon, 1982

Dr. Mark S. Iodence, 1984

Annual Conference for Veterinarians
2003 K-State Veterinarians recognized for their military and Government service:
Dr. Jerry P. Jaax, 1972
Dr. Nancy K. Jaax, 1973
Dr. David R. Franz, 1970
Dr. William L. Brown, 1971
Dr. Vern E. Otte, 1975
Dr. Alan H. Brightman, II, 1974
Dr. Thomas G. Ksiazek, 1970