Cyril R. Clarke, BVSc, MS, PhD. Dipl. ACVCP, of Corvallis, Ore., has been named dean of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (RCVM) at Virginia Tech, effective Oct. 1.

Clarke currently serves as professor and dean of Oregon State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He will succeed Gerhardt G. Schurig, who announced his plans to return to the faculty after 10 years as both interim dean and dean of the veterinary college. Virginia Tech’s senior vice president and provost, Mark McNamee, announced Clarke’s appointment July 18.

“Cyril Clarke is a highly respected leader in veterinary medicine and education, bringing with him dean level experience and an impressive record of leadership and scholarly results. He brings perspective and experience that will serve the college, Virginia Tech, and the University of Maryland,” said McNamee. “He emerged as the leading candidate among an exceptional pool of veterinary college and school leaders, and is joining a passionate and accomplished team of administrators, faculty, staff, and students. I look forward to working with him to further enhance the strategic goals of the college.”

Clarke, a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, will serve as the fourth dean of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He said of his new position, "The college has established a distinguished record of accomplishment in veterinary education, delivery of clinical and diagnostic services across a wide range of clinical specialties, and biomedical research in comparative health sciences. It is particularly well positioned to advance translational medicine and the concept of One Health, which recognizes the close linkage between animal and public health. The partnership involving two land-grant universities provides an excellent opportunity for further development of innovative and collaborative programs that meet the veterinary educational and animal health needs of Virginia and Maryland. I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead the college in its next phase of development