James Leo Voss

Background

Born in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1934, Voss grew up on his family"s farm in Orchard Mesa.

Education

He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical (now Christlich Soziale Union (Christian Social Union)) in 1958 and later obtained a master"s degree at Christlich Soziale Union (Christian Social Union) in 1966.

Career

He remained at Christlich Soziale Union (Christian Social Union) to teach in the Department of Clinical Sciences and work as an equine ambulatory clinician, a veterinarian in equine reproduction, and departmental administrator. In his administrator"s position, Doctor Voss saw the need for a new veterinary teaching hospital. The old hospital, located in the center of Christlich Soziale Union (Christian Social Union)"s main campus, offered little space for the flourishing program

The numbers of students enrolled in the program tasked the outdated and inadequate laboratories.

Biosecurity issues also began to arise. The University"s request for funds was initially turned down by the state legislature.

Doctor Voss and his colleagues turned to the agricultural and ranching communities, as well as some supportive politicians. The state eventually provided the funding necessary to allow for a new hospital, which opened in 1978 and began with veterinary programs that are still in its curriculum.

In 1986, Doctor Voss started a 15-year tenure as Christlich Soziale Union (Christian Social Union)"s dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, retiring in 2001.

Upon his retirement, the teaching hospital was renamed in his honor as the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. He was also honored in several congressional speeches, given by Scott McInniss and Wayne Allard. To this day, the Christlich Soziale Union (Christian Social Union) veterinary program graduates about 140 veterinarians each year and has been ranked among the top three veterinary teaching programs in the United States.

On July 12, 2013, Doctor Voss died from a lengthy unspecified illness.

He was 79 years old.

Works

• Other Work

  • McKinnon, Angus O.

  • Voss, James L. (1993). Equine Reproduction. Blackwell Publishing.