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ISU Vet Med Professor Receives Distinguished Alumni Award from Mississippi State

February 15, 2012 — Tracy Ann Raef

Dr. Locke Karriker, associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, was honored with the 2012 Alumnus of the Year Award from Mississippi State University.

Karriker received the award during a special university banquet on February 10. The annual award, sponsored by the MSU Alumni Association, recognizes the achievements of alumni whose personal and professional service exemplifies the mission of Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Karriker said his commitment to service was fostered at MSU.

“Besides veterinary medicine, MSU taught me to invest in, value, and be of service to other people,” he said. “I sincerely appreciate this recognition and hope to continue building a career that makes MSU and the College of Veterinary Medicine proud.”

Karriker came to ISU in 2003, after spending four years at Seaboard Farms, Inc., as a production veterinarian. Those years at Seaboard provided him with experience in integrated pork production that would later prove invaluable as an educator teaching swine medicine to veterinary students and as director of ISU’s Swine Medicine Education Center.

In commenting on Karriker’s achievements, Dr. Ken Hoblet, dean of Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said, “Through his research and work, Dr. Karriker is having a very positive impact on the swine industry and helping to secure a safe food supply both nationally and worldwide.”

His passion for teaching was recognized last year when he was honored with the William O. Reece Award for Outstanding Academic Advising. In 2011, he also gave the prestigious Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture at the annual meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Karriker is a frequent guest lecturer and speaker at state and national veterinary and producer conferences.

Karriker received his DVM (1999) and MS (2000) from Mississippi State University. In 2009, he graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

He is a member of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, serving as co-chair of the Collegiate Activities Committee. He is also a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association’s Swine Health Committee and Legislative Committee. Karriker is also a member of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and a certified trainer for the National Pork Board’s PQA Plus program.

A native of North Carolina, Karriker was raised on a family farm. He later attended the University of North Carolina, earning a BS in biology.

Tracy Ann Raef, Communications Specialist, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University