Names in the News

Stetter named Dean of Veterinary Medicine

Mark Stetter, dean and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, has been chosen as the new dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. He will officially take the position on Oct. 18.

Prior to joining Colorado State, Stetter served as director of animal operations, director of animal health, and clinical veterinarian at Walt Disney World from 1997 to 2012. 

“The School of Veterinary Medicine, a widely recognized world leader in its field, exemplifies veterinary education, research, and care—and UC Davis—at their best,” said Mary Croughan, provost and executive vice chancellor. “It was critical for us to find a new dean who could carry on and advance the school's stellar legacy. We are very fortunate that Dr. Stetter has agreed to serve in this critical leadership position.”

Stetter earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 
 
Stetter will replace John Pascoe, who has served as interim dean since July 1, when Michael Lairmore stepped down after nearly 10 years as dean. Croughan has expressed her deep gratitude for Pascoe's skilled interim service and Lairmore's decade of distinguished leadership at SVM.

Read more about Stetter in the UC Davis news release.

Westlake joins Project Learning Tree

Emmy Westlake has joined UC ANR as a Project Learning Tree community education specialist in Northern California. 

Born in Redding, Westlake enjoyed growing up, working and spending time in the Shasta Trinity and Modoc Forest. Getting folks outside and into natural resources continues to be her passion.

Before joining Project Learning Tree, she worked with the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County for four years as a project manager. She graduated from California State University, Chico in business administration with an option in management.

Westlake is based at the UCCE office in Tehama County in Red Bluff. She can be reached at (530) 527-3101 and ewestlake@ucanr.edu.

Palmer joins Human Resources

Rachel Palmer joined Human Resources as a HR Generalist 2 addressing staff issues on Oct. 5. For the past 5 years, she served UC ANR as a program and event specialist with the Program Support Unit.

Before joining UC ANR in 2016, Palmer was an events manager at UC Riverside for four years and a campus events coordinators and campus resources coordinator at University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law for nearly five years. She earned a BS in business at University of Redlands.

Palmer is still based at the UC ANR building in Davis and can be reached at rvpalmer@ucanr.edu.

Karle chosen for ag leadership program

Betsy Karle, UC Cooperative Extension director in Glenn County and dairy advisor in Glenn, Butte, Tehama, Shasta, Sutter and Yuba counties, is one of the 24 individuals selected for the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation's Class 51. 

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation program will immerse fellows in topics including leadership theory, strategic agility, effective communication, motivation, critical thinking, change management, emotional intelligence and other skills relating to personal performance and complex social and cultural issues.

Over 17 months, Karle will dedicate 55 seminar days to intensive training through the program's 50-year alliance with California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, California State University, Fresno, and UC Davis.

She will be joined by individuals with various educational backgrounds, experiences, and skills within the agriculture industry. CALF invests more than $50,000 per fellow to participate in the program, which is underwritten by individual and industry donations.

Vice President Glenda Humiston, UCCE advisors Sheila Barry, Tracy Schohr and Eta Takele, Maxwell Norton, emeritus UCCE advisor, and other UC ANR members are among alumni of the prestigious leadership program.

Schohr honored for ag leadership

Tracy Schohr, UC Cooperative Extension Livestock & Natural Resource Advisor serving Plumas, Sierra and Butte counties, is one of three people selected by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) and the Ag Leadership Alumni Council to receive a 2021 Profiles in Leadership Award.

The award recognizes California Agricultural Leadership Program alumni for leadership actions that result in the betterment of industry, community, business, government, education and/or the environment.

Schohr, Class 39, is being recognized for her community service during wildfires in her area—the 2018 Camp Fire, 2020 North Complex Fire and the 2021 Dixie Fire. Her work has included coordinating with emergency personnel and ranchers to contain, transport and secure a safe place for loose herds and displaced livestock.

“Tracy supports the agricultural industry through education and understanding of the science around natural working lands with the public,” said her nominators. “She is the first to step up to make a difference. California will continue to have natural disasters and Tracy will be there on the front lines and we can count on the fact that her crisis leadership will benefit everyone.”

The award ceremony will be held in Clovis on Oct. 14.

 

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