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John Poppe with his award and WSU Provost Warwick
Bayly, left, and Alumni Relations Executive Director Tim Pavish. |
PULLMAN, Wash. The chief of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, Brig. Gen. John L. Poppe, recently was honored with the Washington State University Alumni Association (WSUAA) Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding accomplishments in veterinary preventive medicine and distinguished military leadership.
He serves as the 25th chief of the corps, a military unit that provides veterinary medical and surgical care, food safety and defense, and biomedical research and development. He also is assistant surgeon general, representing the U.S. surgeon general at the Pentagon and other venues.
Poppe earned two WSU degrees: a bachelor of science in animal science in 1981 and a doctor of veterinary medicine in 1986. A dedicated WSU alumnus, he visits campus yearly to help teach International Veterinary Medicine, a graduate-level course, and share his professional experiences with students.
Poppe’s other distinguished awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Surgeon General’s “A” Proficiency Designator for Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
He was commissioned a first lieutenant in the veterinary corps in 1987. His numerous military tours include: chief, Northern New England Veterinary Service, Brunswick Naval Air Station, Maine; chief, Animal Medicine and Team B, 106th Medical Detachment (VS), Yongsan, Korea; commander, Pacific Regional Veterinary Command, Hawaii; and chief, Department of Veterinary Science, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Poppe earned a master’s degree in public health in epidemiology from Tulane University and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. His military education includes the Army Medical Department Officer’s Training, Army Command and General Staff College and the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he earned a master of arts in national security and strategic studies.
The Alumni Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the WSUAA. Since 1970, more than 500 WSU alumni have received the award.
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Contact:
Christina Rulffes Parrish, Alumni Engagement, 509-335-6907, parrishc@wsu.edu
Christina Rulffes Parrish, Alumni Engagement, 509-335-6907, parrishc@wsu.edu