FORT COLLINS – Colorado State University today announced that Dr. Mark Stetter has been named dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The college is home to one of the top-ranked veterinary programs in the nation as well as nationally recognized infectious disease, cancer and other health research programs.

Dr. Stetter, who has more than 23 years of experience in veterinary medicine, joins CSU from the Walt Disney Company, where he is director of animal operations. He will begin his new role in July, but will begin working on campus in May.

“I cannot tell you how honored and excited I am to have been selected as dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,” Stetter said. “The college does so many incredible things to help animals, help people and help the planet. I look forward to joining the CSU team and helping the college achieve even more great things.”

At Disney, Stetter oversaw the health and daily care of several thousand animals for the company’s programs and parks around the world and managed a team of more than 500, including veterinarians, curators, zookeepers and aquarists. He also helped oversee company’s international wildlife research and conservation programs.

Stetter has been heavily involved with supporting animal and wildlife research efforts at Disney and developed and chaired the company’s Animal Care and Welfare Committee, which evaluated welfare situations for the company and also ensured research with integrity and responsibility. In addition, Stetter worked with media outlets under Disney Co. including ESPN, Disney Studios and ABC, to ensure the appropriate use of animals in their productions.

Stetter also serves as chair of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Research Committee and as past chair of the Morris Animal Foundation’s Wildlife Scientific Advisory Board as well as an executive board member of the American College of Zoological Medicine.

Stetter is president and founder of The Elephant Population Management Program, which helps African countries address biodiversity issues associated with elephant overpopulation while assisting in wildlife conservation.

Before joining the Disney Company in 1997, Stetter was a veterinarian with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Animal Health Center in New York and also directed the Animal Health Care Center at the Audubon Institute’s Zoological Garden in New Orleans.

Stetter will replace Dr. Lance Perryman, who will complete his tenure as dean in June. Perryman, who is retiring, has been dean of the college since October 2001.