Dr. James R Coffman, former dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University (KSU), has been selected to deliver the 2013 Recognition Lecture at the AAVMC Annual Conference, March 10.

The lecture at Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is given by an individual who has made a significant contribution to academic veterinary medicine and profession.

He earned all his major degrees from KSU - bachelor's degree in 1960, doctor of veterinary medicine in 1962 and master's degree in pathology in 1970.

Coffman started his professional career as a faculty member of the Department of Surgery and Medicine at KSU from 1965-69; professor of equine medicine at the University of Missouri from 1971-81. Coffman was also the director of the Equine Center from 1973-77.

In 1981, he returned to KSU as the head of the department of Surgery and Medicine; served as dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine from 1984-87 and a provost from 1987-2004.

Coffman was also the president and charter diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He served as a chair of the Board of Regents.

Coffman received the Iverson Bell Award in 2005 for his commitment to improve and support minority education and minority groups in veterinary medicine.

After his retirement from the KSU in 2009, the university established the James R. Coffman Leadership Institute in his honor.