NYSAVT Awards

Do you know an outstanding technician? We want to know about them. NYSAVT will present the 2011 Vet Tech of the Year Award at the 2011 Annual Spring Seminar in Rochester, NY, April 15-17. A call for nominations will be announced here and in the Vet Tech Times.

2009
Sherry Thompson, LVT

Many graduates of SUNY Delhi will remember this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Veterinary Technician of the Year Award to Manly Shults, LVT. Manly retired this past winter after more than 35 years as a veterinary technician educator. He has dedicated many years to the profession and it was our pleasure to give him this award.

He was in one of the first graduating classes of veterinary technician in New York State, graduating from Delhi in 1966. This would also make Manly one of the early graduate Vet Techs in the country, since Delhi was the first Vet tech program in the US, with the first class graduating in the 1963. In a few short years after graduation, Manly accepted a position in the veterinary science program at SUNY Delhi, as instructional support associate and rose through the ranks to instructional support specialist. He also has the distinction of teaching for more years than any other veterinary technician educator in the country and has facilitated the education of more graduate veterinary technicians than any other educator, due to his length of tenure as an educator and Delhi being the largest on-campus program in the country. Manly was also in one of the first groups of graduate veterinary technicians in New York State to be licensed.

He was instrumental in the development and continued growth and success of the profession in New York State and the United States. He has an early and is a continued supporting member NYSAVT. He has served over the years as President, Ethics/Legislative Committee, Delhi Student Organization Advisor, Catskill District Representative and Spring Seminar Coordinator.

Manly worked relentlessly and tirelessly for the passage of the legislative bills that recognized and licensed veterinary technicians in New York State. Additionally, he worked for the preservation of the practical exam for veterinary technician licensing.

As an educator, Manly was always there for the students and the university. He is the universal technician, educator and role model. He served as a laboratory instructor, lecturer, student mentor, academic advisor, facilities and work study coordinator, student organization advisor, animal facilities supervisor, member of a long list of university committees, chef at spring student barbecues, and driver for the numerous students off campus events, including NYSAVT meetings. He was intricately involved in the development and continued maintenance of the veterinary science facility and equipment in Farnsworth Hall and the Delhi College Farm.

His nomination was respectfully submitted by his friend, former student and colleague, Dan Walsh, LVT. Manly was present to receive his award at this year’s Spring Seminar Annual Banquet in Ithaca, NY.

A letter from Manly Shults:
Dear NYSAVT Members,

It was a surprise and honor to be named NYSAVT Technician of the year. I wish to thank everyone for thinking of me. A special thanks to Dan Walsh for the nomination and kind words.

Indeed I was fortunate to become a technician educator during the infancy of the profession, although a gentleman named Francis Lang preceded me by one year. The original program started at SUNY Delhi in 1961 as "Animal Health Technicians" and was the brain child of Wilber Farnsworth, Dean of Agriculture.

When I think of the previous recipients of this award and all the contributions they made to the profession, I am proud and honored to join them.

Sincerely,
Manly E. Shults, BS, LVT