For his dedication to research, teaching, academic service, and community engagement at the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Professor David Brown has been named a recipient of the President's Award for Outstanding Service.

The award recognizes exceptional service to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, and service units by any active or retired faculty or staff member who has gone beyond regular duties and has demonstrated an unusual commitment to the University community.

“Dr. David Brown is a service-oriented faculty member who has made significant contributions to academia, demonstrating a long-term commitment to excellence in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (VBS), the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the University of Minnesota,” VBS Chair Kent Reed wrote in a nomination letter. “This commitment extends beyond the University community to both professional and community organizations.”

Brown’s four-decade career with the University began in 1984 when he was hired as an assistant professor at CVM. In the time since, he has been promoted to full professor, authored a large body of peer-reviewed published works, headed up a successful research laboratory, and earned awards and recognition as an accomplished educator.  

“Although these efforts alone comprise an impressive academic career, of notable significance is Dave’s continuous and extensive record of service to all levels of the University community, underscoring his commitment to advancing the University’s mission and supporting its diverse initiatives,” Reed wrote.

Much of Brown’s service to the University focuses on leading efforts within the college and the larger University to shape and improve academic environments and to promote regulatory compliance and laboratory safety standards.

Within CVM, he has taken on leadership roles—including interim chair and interim vice chair of VBS— and served on numerous committees with focuses ranging from faculty recruitment to mentoring to strategic planning to curriculum and education policy.

At the University level, Brown has made an impact with 20 years of participation in the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). He has served in member, vice chair, chair, and ad hoc protocol reviewer roles within the committee. 

During his seven-year tenure as chair, Brown's duties included meeting with principal investigators and research oversight staff; acting as a liaison between the IBC and researchers, compliance committees, and relevant services; and fostering collaboration and adherence to regulatory standards.

Aside from his regular duties as the chair of the IBC, Brown also contributed to various initiatives supporting the University's research mission, including developing and implementing new biosafety protocols and systems.

“The activities of the IBC are vital to University research and this service work alone is above and beyond the typical service commitment of most U of M faculty,” Reed wrote.

Brown also has served as a member of the University Senate, the Faculty Consultative Committee, and the Senate Library Committee.