WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has appointed Julia Wickard, a longtime agricultural leader in Indiana, as the college’s new constituent liaison and executive director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association, effective Monday, Feb. 24. Wickard, of Greenfield, Indiana, most recently served as the state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency . Her new position represents a homecoming for the Purdue alumna, who earned her BA degree in agricultural communications and political science.
Wickard has more than 30 years of executive management experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Before her most recent position with the USDA, Wickard served in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management as assistant commissioner and agricultural liaison as well as director of government affairs. She also worked more than seven years as executive vice president of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association/Indiana Beef Council, and served as environmental and natural resources director and chief operating and marketing officer for Indiana Farm Bureau Environmental Services Inc. In addition, she worked for the state of Indiana first as environmental and natural resources director in the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, and then as executive director of the Indiana Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development.
“Julia has a strong record of significant experience, effective leadership and constructive networking within the agricultural sector, and her knowledge and expertise will be instrumental in our efforts to strengthen and expand our college’s relationships with stakeholders, agencies and organizations across the state,” said Bret D. Marsh, DVM, dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine. “Our college has a vital role to play in Purdue’s strategic One Health Initiative as well as the university’s growing presence and partnerships in Indianapolis. We are excited to have Julia join our team to guide and ensure our success in these opportunities to enhance our college’s connectedness to our alumni, clientele, research partners, animal agriculture and the veterinary medical profession.”
Wickard’s appointment comes on the heels of Purdue’s recent announcement of the launch of Victories and Heroes: Your Campaign for Purdue. The five-year, $4 billion fundraising campaign is the largest in the university’s history. “This is a pivotal point in the history of Purdue and our College of Veterinary Medicine,” Marsh said. “We have a unique opportunity to showcase the importance and impact of our college and our alumni, faculty, staff and students. As we work together with partners and allied organizations, there is great potential to enhance the recognition of, and appreciation for, our college’s contributions to animal and human health and well-being in our state and beyond.”
Wickard will serve as a member of the Dean’s Leadership Team. Her responsibilities will include serving as the college’s liaison to local, state and national organizations including the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, Indiana State Board of Animal Health, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana commodity organizations, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana AgrIInstitute, National FFA Organization and 4-H, and the USDA and its agencies. As the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association executive director, she will provide strategic leadership for college alumni activities and work to increase alumni engagement with the college.
Wickard said she is excited to join the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Accepting this appointment reflects my passion for agriculture and the professionals, especially veterinarians, who help people in rural communities,” Wickard said. “Purdue Veterinary Medicine has a vital role to play in strengthening connections among veterinary medicine, agriculture and the public, especially in light of the service Purdue University provides as the state’s land-grant institution. I look forward to working with Dean Marsh – a colleague I’ve known for a long time – to expand the college’s engagement with alumni and collaborations with the agricultural sector.”
A 10-year 4-H member and FFA alumna, Wickard is founder and owner of Wickard Livestock, along with her husband, Chris, and jointly manages McClarnon Stock Farm with her mother and sister, both in Greenfield, Indiana. “Always coming home at night to my family farm with Angus cattle and Boer goats keeps me grounded in what is important,” Wickard said.
Wickard has received numerous awards including the Purdue University Women in Agriculture Leadership Award, the Purdue University Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award, the Purdue Spirit of Extension Award, the Indiana State Poultry Association Outstanding Service Award for Emergency Preparedness Planning and Indiana’s Sagamore of the Wabash Award.
Media contact: Trevor Peters, peter237@purdue.edu