1992 Alumni Fellow

Dr. Harry C. Mussman, DVM 1965

Dr. Harry C. Mussman is Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Education, USDA, in Washington, D.C.

He earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin in 1955. He then earned a master's degree in microbiology in 1957, a doctorate in microbial physiology in 1959, and a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1965, all from K-State.

Since 1955 Mussman has spent 15 years in teaching and research and 20 years in various management positions with scientific and technical organizations. From 1959 to 1965 he was an instructor and director of the clinical pathology lab at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine. Mussman continued teaching between 1965 and 1971 at K-State and the University of Nebraska.

Mussman has worked extensively for the USDA since the early '70's. He was director of the laboratory services division, meat and poultry and inspection program, consumer marketing services, deputy administrator for scientific and technical services, and meat and poultry inspection program. Additional positions associated with USDA include administrator, animal and plant health inspection service and executive vice president for scientific affairs.

Before becoming deputy assistant secretary for science and education, Mussman was director of the Animal Health and Plant Protection Program, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Mussman has consulted various food companies and organizations, written for major agriculture and food publications, and is in many honorary and professional societies. He is a man of many honors, including Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive, Senior Executive Service; honorary member, Veterinary Alumni Association, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogota, Columbia.