5-1-98

Contacts:
Jim Roth, Microbiology, Immunology and Preventive Medicine, (515) 294-8459
Richard Ross, Veterinary Medicine, (515) 294-1250
Phyllis Peters, Veterinary Medicine, (515) 294-4602
Steve Jones, News Service, (515) 294-4778

ROTH NAMED TO SALSBURY CHAIR IN VETERINARY MEDICINE

AMES, Iowa -- James A. Roth, a distinguished professor in Iowa State University's microbiology, immunology and preventive medicine department, is the first to hold the John G. Salsbury Chair in Veterinary Medicine.

Roth's appointment was announced today by Richard Ross, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

An ISU faculty member since 1977, Roth researches cattle and swine immunity to infectious diseases. He was named distinguished professor in veterinary medicine in 1995.

"We're proud to recognize Dr. Roth's accomplishments by appointing him to fill the Salsbury Chair," Ross said. "With the prestige and support linked to this chair, we are confident that Dr. Roth's work will bring added recognition to the highly- productive research that is being conducted by veterinary scientists in all areas of our college."

The Salsbury Chair is the second endowed faculty chair filled at the college since 1996 as a result of privately funded endowments in excess of $1 million, Ross said.

The chair was created from a $1 million challenge gift by a 1940 graduate of the college, John Salsbury, and his spouse, Doris Salsbury, of Bozeman, Mont.

The Salsburys pledged their gift if veterinary medicine alumni and friends could raise $1 million to create an endowed chair named for Frank Ramsey, an accomplished veterinary pathologist at ISU who died in 1992. More than $1 million was raised, and veterinary medicine researcher Harley W. Moon was recruited to fill the Ramsey Chair two years ago.

"It is unusual for a single college within a university to receive cash gifts to fully endow two faculty chairs within such a narrow span of time," Ross explained. "Due to the generosity of Dr. John and Mrs. Doris Salsbury, we have been given a tremendous opportunity to both attract and retain the very best veterinary scholars. We've filled these chairs with highly respected researchers who have made significant contributions to animal health, and whose research will continue to have an impact in the months and years ahead."

Endowed chairs are highly prestigious positions that enhance a university's ability to attract and retain the best scholars, Ross added. The endowment provides a source of revenue to supplement college support for the teaching and research activities of the faculty member who holds the endowed chair.

Support from the Salsbury Endowed Chair will enable Roth to expand his research efforts. He is investigating the development of a vaccine to provide protective immunity to a respiratory virus that causes disease in young calves.

John Salsbury is a native of Charles City, Iowa.

Roth received the Distinguished Immunologist Award from the American Association of Veterinary Immunologists in 1997, and twice has received the college's two top outstanding teaching awards. Roth serves as executive director for the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics, housed at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

A native of Hartwick, Iowa, Roth earned his D.V.M., M.S. and Ph.D. from ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine.

A public reception honoring Roth is Friday, May 8, at 3 p.m. at ISU's Reiman Gardens. Colleagues and friends are invited to attend.

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Revised 5/1/98