[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S15289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. TOM VAUGHAN

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I want to take a few moments to commend 
and congratulate Dr. John Thomas ``Tom'' Vaughan, who retired from his 
position as dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn 
University last month. The fifth dean in the history of veterinary 
medicine at Auburn, he served from June 1977 until September 1995.
  A Tuskegee, AL, native, Dr. Vaughan graduated with honors from 
Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1955. His affiliation with 
the field of veterinary medicine as a student, faculty member, 
department chair, and dean spanned an incredible 42 years.
  As dean, Dr. Vaughan successfully led the college through numerous 
challenges. Despite major fiscal limitations, his leadership inspired 
dynamic instructional changes which made Auburn an internationally 
recognized institution in animal welfare and computerized teaching. He 
stimulated plans for curriculum alterations to coincide with the 
changes inherent to the field. As chairperson of the Auburn University 
Core Curriculum Commission, his was a pivotal voice in initiatives 
which led to the school's enhanced overall academic reputation.
  Dr. Vaughan's strategic vision including the expansion of career 
opportunities for veterinarians in clinical practice, corporate 
enterprises, research projects, and in government agencies. He was 
committed to the Extension Service, agribusiness, and public health. 
His work has benefitted the public greatly through improvements in the 
food animal industry, research on diseases and pathology common to 
animals and people, expansion of graduate programs, and the training of 
quality veterinarians from all segments of society.
  Dr. Vaughan served in several capacities on behalf of the National 
Association of State Universities and Land-grant Colleges. He chaired 
its Commission on Veterinary Medicine and served on its Commission on 
Food, Environment, and Renewable Resources. He is a former president of 
both the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American 
Association of Equine Practitioners.
  He authored a total of 22 chapters in various veterinary textbooks, 
wrote numerous professional journal articles, and coauthored two books. 
He was selected as the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association's 
Veterinarian of the Year in 1985. Just last year, he received the 
Distinguished Service Award from the prestigious Tennessee Walking 
Horse Breeders and Exhibitors' Association. At Auburn University, Dr. 
Vaughan was an enthusiastic member of the John and Mary Franklin 
Foundation Lectures Committee and also a member of the University 
Senate.
  Dr. Tom Vaughan's outstanding leadership and total dedication to his 
field have contributed directly in innumerable ways to the 
distinguished service of many graduates of Auburn's veterinary school, 
one of the oldest in the nation. He has established benchmarks of 
service and excellence that will inspire and sustain his colleagues, as 
well as challenge the profession for many years into the next century.

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