Two-time NC State Alum Returns to Lead Department of Clinical Sciences

Dr. Jan Hawkins, president of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, head of large animal surgery at Purdue University and two-time NC State alum, has returned to the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine to lead its Department of Clinical Sciences.

Hawkins began his role as department chair on Aug. 1. He says he looks forward to making an impact on a programmatic level and supporting faculty, staff, house officers and students through his administrative position.

“I am so delighted that we were able to recruit Dr. Hawkins for this leadership position,” says Dr. Kate Meurs, dean of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. “As an alum, he really knows this college and understands our history and aspirations. In addition, he brings a great deal of experience and knowledge from his time at Purdue University and as the president of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. These external experiences will help make us all even stronger. We are fortunate to have him on the leadership team.”

Hawkins, originally from Richlands, North Carolina, says he is thrilled to bring his career full circle by returning to NC State and working alongside several administrators and faculty members he has known since they were trainees. 

“A chance to go back to North Carolina — I’ve dreamed about that for as long as I’ve been doing this,” he says. “I’m really looking forward to being back in Raleigh, at the vet school where it all started for me.”

He earned both his bachelor’s and DVM degrees from NC State, graduating with the latter in 1991. He and his wife, small animal veterinarian Dr. Susan Stuart, met as classmates at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

As a student, Hawkins was inspired to go into large animal medicine after witnessing his first equine colic surgery at the NC State Veterinary Hospital.

“My entire path in life was altered because I started going to the clinic my first year,” he says. “I saw how challenging it was to work on the large animals, how it required all these people to move them around because they’re so big, and how you had to work within different organ systems to fix their problems. It sparked an obsession for me.”

His student rotations in the Veterinary Hospital introduced him to Dr. Anthony Blikslager, now associate dean and director of Veterinary Medical Services, and Dr. Kate Meurs, current dean of the college, while both were house officers.

Hawkins went on to complete a large animal medicine and surgery internship at Texas A&M University in 1992 and a large animal surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania in 1995. He worked as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania for another year before joining Purdue’s faculty in 1996 as an assistant professor of large animal surgery.

He built a career specializing in equine upper respiratory tract disorders and expanding the use of lasers in large animal surgery. Even so, his willingness to perform many types of procedures across species gave him a reputation as a true generalist surgeon. Along with the standard farm animals, Hawkins’ patients have included rhinoceros, seals, walruses, giraffes and a gorilla.

His extensive experiences led colleagues to appoint him as president-elect of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2022. Hawkins will serve his presidential term until October, when he will assume a yearlong position as chair of ACVS’ board of regents.

At the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Hawkins plans to reinforce the clinical science department’s welcoming, collegial and collaborative culture, connect students with alumni in their areas of interest, encourage established faculty members to mentor their early-career peers and guide the college toward the objectives stated in the college’s strategic plan.

“I’ve been interested in administration for quite some time,” he says. “You can do a lot in a surgery position, but there’s a lot to be said for helping people on a larger scale. The chance to help others at NC State achieve their goals, handing down lessons from my own mentors and career, is very exciting.”

Hawkins is also eager to assist in the renovation of NC State’s Large Animal Hospital, having recently participated in Purdue’s expansion of its large animal facility, and contribute to efforts like the Veterinary Academic Leaders program that get students interested in academia.

On a personal note, he is excited to be closer to extended family and the beach and to root for Wolfpack sports again — though he admits he pulled for Purdue in this spring’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

With Hawkins’ appointment, interim department head Dr. Mike Nolan, a professor of radiation oncology, will return to clinical service.

“I am so very grateful for the assistance of Dr. Mike Nolan for all his very hard work as interim chair,” Meurs says.