UF College of Veterinary Medicine
Public Relations Office

Longtime Dean Joseph DiPietro accepts job at Tennessee

By SARAH CAREY

Dean Joe DiPietro outside of the Large Animal Hospital.

Joseph A. DiPietro, D.V.M., M.S., who has led the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine as dean for the past nine years, has accepted a job as vice president of agriculture at the University of Tennessee .

He will be leaving the college for his new post on Feb. 20.

“I am saddened at the thought of leaving my many friends, supporters and colleagues at the college and university,” DiPietro said. “I have had a wonderful and rewarding time here and have appreciated the strong broad-based support I have received.”

DiPietro added, “UF and the College of Veterinary Medicine will remain in a very special place in my heart and I anticipate hearing of its continued successes often as it continues to advance animal, human and environmental health.”

Doug Barrett, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs, and Jimmy Cheek, Ph.D., vice president of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, announced that a search committee had been formed for a new dean and paid tribute to DiPietro for his many accomplishments.

“ During his more than nine-year tenure here, Joe has earned the respect of faculty, staff and students, the college's research budget has steadily increased, and many innovative educational, clinical and research initiatives have been implemented,” Barrett and Cheek said in a joint statement. “Joe has personally distinguished himself in his professional activities, rising this past summer to become president of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. We wish Joe all the best as he embraces this new phase of his career.”

During his tenure, college research grants increased from $5.5 million to $12.5 million, and annual fundraising totals increased from $1.9 million to $7.4 million.

Dr. Teresa Dolan, dean of the UF College of Dentistry, will chair the search committee.

“The committee will begin immediately to conduct a nationwide search for an exceptional individual to lead the College of Veterinary Medicine through its next period of growth and development,” Barrett and Cheek said. “Because we have an outstanding college with talented and committed faculty, staff and students, we are confident this position will attract a leader of the first rank.”

Search committee members will include veterinary medicine faculty members Dr. Mary Brown, Dr. Colin Burrows, Dr. John Dame, Dr. David Freeman, Dr. Ron Gronwall, Dr. Rick Johnson, Dr. Julie Levy, Dr. Maureen Long and Dr. Steve Roberts; IFAS faculty members Dr. Lokenga Badinga, Dr. Peter Hansen and Dr. Mark McLellan; third-year veterinary medicine student Shale Kenney; and a community veterinarian.