Alumnus Appointed as New AASV President

The board members stand together for a group photo
Pictured left-right: New AASV President Jeffrey Harker with fellow AASV officers Mary Battrell (president-elect), Michael Senn (vice president), and Nathan Winkelman (immediate past-president).

Dr. Jeffrey Harker (PU DVM ’94) assumed the top office in the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) earlier this month when he began his term as the association’s president.  This next step for Dr. Harker in his career dedicated to swine practice reflects a pattern of service in multiple organizations.

Having grown up on a diversified livestock and grain farm near Waldron, Ind., Dr. Harker was active in both 4-H and FFA in his youth and was presented with the FFA’s American Farmer degree in 1989. After earning his Purdue DVM degree in 1994, Dr. Harker joined fellow PVM alumnus Dr. Max Rodibaugh (PU DVM ’77) as an associate veterinarian at Swine Health Services (now AMVC Swine Health Services) in Frankfort, Ind. In 2001, he became a partner in the swine specialty practice that serves a diverse clientele, from those with small show pig herds to contract growers in integrated production.

Since joining the AASV, Dr. Harker has served on the Board of Directors, represented the organization in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates, participated on the AASV Annual Meeting Planning Committee, and held the office of President of the Indiana Pork Producers Association. In 2017, he received the AASV Meritorious Service Award. In addition to his work with the AASV, Dr. Harker has been involved with the National Pork Board’s Operation Main Street program since its inception in 2004. He also serves as an adjunct assistant professor in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

“I am looking forward to working with the AASV board, members, and staff on solving the challenges as they arise over the next year. Considering the current poor market situation along with the increased threat of foreign animal disease, the AASV will need to continue to provide the best scientific information to the swine industry,” said Dr. Harker. “I hope that I can help maintain AASV’s past success in navigating through these challenges.”

Dr. Harker currently lives in Clinton County, Ind. with his wife, Traci, and two of their four children. His other two children and his grandchildren live nearby.

The other AASV officers serving with Dr. Harker are Dr. Nathan Winkelman (UMN DVM ’84), immediate past president; Dr. Mary Battrell (ISU DVM ’95), president-elect; and Dr. Michael Senn (KSU DVM ’91), vice president.  The new officers were installed March 10 during the association’s 51st Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Ga.

Writer(s): Maya Sanaba, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Purdue Engineering Hosts PVM Canine Educators for ‘Canines, Cookies, and Calm’ During Mental Health Action Week

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s beloved Canine Educators found themselves amidst a throng of engineering students last Friday, March 7, in the Herman & Heddy Kurz Atrum of Armstrong Hall, where they were the center of attention during an event on the final day of Purdue’s Mental Health Action Week (MHAW). Named “Canines, Cookies, and Calm,” the event hosted by the College of Engineering fostered smiles, laughter, and endless thanks from a total of some 300 engineering students.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

March is National Social Work Month! It’s a perfect time to recognize our very own Veterinary Hospital Social Worker, Jennifer Dehn, LSW, MSW.

In Memory – Dr. Raymond Backe (PU DVM ’66)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community mourns the passing of Dr. Ray Backe, an alumnus who was a member of the college’s fourth graduating class – the Class of 1966. Dr. Backe, of Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, formerly of Greendale, Wisconsin, passed away January 19, 2025. He was 84.

Purdue Veterinary Alumni Meet up in Las Vegas at WVC Annual Conference

Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine alumni stood out from the large crowds of veterinary professionals attending the Viticus Group 2025 WVC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada as they gathered for the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Reception held in conjunction with the conference. The event Monday evening, March 3, attracted close to 70 alumni who met up at the Rhythm and Rifts lounge located just off the Mandalay Bay casino floor.

Purdue Veterinary Student and Small Animal Surgery Resident Achieve Recognition at Major Specialty Conference

A Purdue second-year veterinary student and a third-year small animal surgery resident helped put the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in the spotlight at the 52nd Annual Conference of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS) this year.

PVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Announces Plans to Retire

An esteemed and dedicated Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member and administrator, Dr. S. Kathleen Salisbury, has announced that she will conclude her Purdue career of more than 40 years when she retires effective June 30, 2025. Her decision was shared with the college’s faculty, staff and students by Dean Bret Marsh, DVM, Wednesday (3/12).