For nearly 30 years, Jody Lulich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, has made an impact on students at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) through his teaching philosophy of helping those who need help and encouraging those who continue to strive.

Lulich’s emphasis on empathy and compassion in teaching has earned him many accolades over the years and served as the foundation for his latest achievement. 

This fall, the University of Minnesota honored Lulich’s commitment to teaching by naming him a recipient of the Graduate and Professional Teaching Award. Since 1998-1999, the University of Minnesota has recognized a select group of faculty members for their outstanding contributions to graduate and/or professional education. Lulich and seven other 2020 recipients were recognized at Nov. 15, 2021, ceremony, which also announced winners from 2019 and 2021.

The Graduate and Professional Teaching Award is awarded annually to exceptional candidates nominated by their colleges in their quest to identify excellence in graduate and/or professional education. 

Eva Furrow, VMD, PhD, DACVIM, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS) at CVM, is among the many who have experienced Lulich’s academic guidance firsthand. 

“Dr. Lulich has been my mentor for over a decade, including during my residency training, graduate studies, and as junior faculty. He has a lasting impact on those he trains and inspires creativity, tenacity, and resilience,” she wrote in a nomination letter for Lulich. “He has been instrumental to my success and independence as a clinician, researcher, and instructor.

“He cares about the emotional connection with his students, and his interactions are infused with compassion and openness. This makes him extraordinarily approachable and motivates students to learn for the sake of providing the best care to their patients and clients rather than for grades or simple task completion.”

Lulich joined CVM as an assistant professor in 1990. He currently is a tenured professor of Internal Medicine in the VCS Department and has held the Osborne/Hills Endowed Chair in Nephrology and Urology since 2008. He also serves as co-director of the Minnesota Urolith Center, which provides quantitative urolith analysis services to clients from around the world. 

Lulich’s academic contributions include authorship of more than 80 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, co-editor of four textbooks on urinary disease and urolithiasis, principal investigator or co-principal investigator of more than 50 funded grants from various funding agencies, and much more—though you’ll never hear him boast about it. 

“He is a highly accomplished, but remarkably humble, individual who focuses on motivating his students to achieve excellence,” writes Cathy Carlson, DVM, PhD, DACVP, chair of the VCS Department. “His talents are broad. The UMN is fortunate that he has decided to remain at our institution for the duration of his career, as our institution has benefited greatly from his presence and commitment.”

In addition to being recognized as an award recipient, Lulich also will be inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers and carry the designation of Distinguished University Teaching Professor (faculty) throughout his career at the University of Minnesota.