Dr. John Gorham Fellowship in Vet. Medicine
The Dr. John R. Gorham Fellowship in Veterinary Medicine was
established to foster the education and scientific curiosity of graduate
students studying animal diseases and to honor one of our most
distinguished faculty members.
Dr. John Gorham, professor of veterinary microbiology and pathology at
Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, holds the
longest tenure of any faculty member ever employed in the college. Since
receiving his DVM degree from WSU in 1946, he has continuously taught,
conducted research, and provided service for the profession, the USDA,
and the University. Virtually every living WSU veterinary alumnus in the
world has had at least one lecture during their professional training
delivered by Dr. Gorham.
Those of us who know John, know his commitment to unmatched teaching and
research; we believe there is no better way to honor his dedication to
WSU and the college, than to support a fellowship in his name.
For questions about giving, contact Lynne Haley, Director of
Development, at (509) 335-5021 or
lhaley@vetmed.wsu.edu.
Biography
Dr. John Gorham is a double alumnus of Washington State
University with a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He has
published nearly 500 articles with more than 250 co-authors in
the areas of viral, bacterial, genetic, and nutritional diseases
and across clinical, applied, and basic research.
In 1970, Dr. Gorham received the Gaines Medal from the American
Veterinary Medical Association for his landmark research into
the acute viral diseases of dogs. In 1985, he received the XII
International Veterinary Congress award given by the AVMA and in
the same year, he received the USDA’s Distinguished Service
Award for his remarkable legacy of research on the acute and
slow viral diseases of domestic animals. Most notable
among these were equine infectious anemia, Aleutian disease of
mink, and distemper in dogs and mink. He was the
co-discoverer of the rickettsial cause of salmon poisoning. Dr.
Gorham, in 1985, was the first veterinarian inducted into the
USDA Hall of Fame. In 1993, he was awarded the highest honor
granted to WSU alumni: the Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Dr. Gorham was awarded the American Epidemiology Society’s Gold
Headed Cane in 2001; and, in 2007, he received the Lifetime
Excellence in Research Award from the AVMA. He is only the
second recipient of this award that recognizes lifetime
achievement in veterinary medical research.
