Valerie Ragan honored with emerita status
Valerie Ragan, professor of practice of veterinary medicine in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has been conferred the title of professor of practice emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emerita title may be conferred on retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community for more than 11 years, Ragan has made significant contributions and is recognized internationally as an expert on the globally important zoonotic disease brucellosis, and has lectured or worked on the disease in seven countries while affiliated with the university.
From 2009-25, she led the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, now known as the Center for Public Veterinary Medicine, serving as director from 2009-14 at the University of Maryland campus, and from 2014-25 at the Virginia Tech campus, leading the center’s growth toward serving as a national center of excellence.
Additionally, Ragan developed courses that guided students through a systems approach to problem solving when addressing local, national, and global issues.
Ragan was principal or co-principal investigator on eight research grants totaling $826,032 while at Virginia Tech.
In 2017, she was awarded the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Public Service Award, which honors a member veterinarian for long-term outstanding public service or unusual contributions to the practice or science of public health and regulatory veterinary medicine. In 2025, Ragan received the United States Animal Health Association's Medal of Distinction, the organization's highest honor for outstanding leadership and contributions to the field.
Ragan orchestrated a major revision to the public practice track at the college, revising several courses and developing two new courses. In the classroom, Ragan taught a wide variety of graduate courses on the topics of veterinary medicine.
Ragan studied biology at Virginia Tech before receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia.
Written by Emily Southern ’26
