Bowling Green, Ky. - Dr. Jenks Britt, an associate professor in Western Kentucky University's Agriculture Department, has been honored by Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Britt received the El Toro Award for Excellence in Food Animal Medicine during the college's 98th Annual Conference for Veterinarians on April 9.

"It was truly an honor to receive the award from Auburn University," Dr. Britt said. "It was the faculty and staff at WKU that prepared me for entry into veterinary school years ago. The current faculty and staff are supportive of my activities and research that led to this award."

Dr. Britt is a native of Barren County and attended school in Warren County. He graduated from WKU in 1966 with a double major in agriculture and biology. He graduated from Auburn's veterinary school in 1970.

From 1970-93, he practiced veterinary medicine in Russellville where his specialty was dairy herd heath management and embryo transfer. In the fall of 1993, he joined the faculty at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Britt returned to WKU in 1998 and served as head of the Agriculture Department until 2004. He teaches courses in animal science and continues research in dairy production.

The El Toro Award for Excellence in Food Animal Medicine was established at Auburn University in 1994 through the generosity of Dr. James G. Floyd Jr. in memory of his father J.G. Floyd. His intention was to recognize veterinarians who, through their contributions to food animal practice, organized veterinary medicine, high ideals, and dedication to the production of food animals, serve as role models for veterinary students.

The recipient is selected by a committee consisting of faculty from the food animal section of that department, a representative of the Alabama State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the previous recipients of the award.

Criteria for the award include outstanding service to the practice of food animal medicine, food animal production, organized veterinary medicine, and other exemplary service to the food animal industries. The philosophy, professionalism, and high moral character of the recipients qualify them as role models for veterinary students with prospective careers in food animal practice. Preference will be given to alumni of Auburn University and to residents of the Southeastern United States.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Agriculture Department at (270) 745-3151.