Veterinarian, Key Fundraiser Receives William E. Morgan Achievement Award, Alumni Association’s Highest Honor

Awards and honors received while at Colorado State University, coupled with service to both the university and the community, made Nicholas H. Booth a natural recipient of the William E. Morgan Achievement Award, given by the university’s Alumni Association. Booth will receive the Alumni Association’s top award in a special ceremony on Friday, Feb. 17.

During his career at Colorado State, Booth made multiple trips to Washington, D.C., to obtain funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation for planning, developing, improving and expanding the veterinary college at Colorado State University. He was instrumental in procuring land and funds for purchase and construction of most new buildings currently used by the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. These building have an added cost of nearly $20 million.

In addition, Booth co-authored a 1,200-plus page reference book that is used by veterinarians worldwide titled Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

"We believe Dr. Booth deserves this award because he is truly a giant in the world of veterinary medicine and related disciplines," said Charles and Elyse Bliss, both of whom nominated Booth for the honor. "He possesses an unselfish nature for improving the fields in which he was and is still involved and has always responded to the needs on a national and international level as well as other collegiate institutions."

     Booth graduated from Colorado State in 1951 with a master’s in physiology. His other degrees include D.V.M. from Michigan State University and physiology and pharmacology doctorate from the University of Colorado Medial School, Denver.

     He spent time in the military before getting his degrees. After graduating college, he worked at Colorado State as a professor, department head and dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences from 1966-71. During those years, he was also chief of the Animal Disease Science Research Section of the university’s Agricultural Experiment Station.

He then worked with the U.S. government as director of the Division of Veterinary Medical Research until 1974. In 1985, Booth retired as a professor of physiology and pharmacology at the University of Georgia.

While in Fort Collins in the 1960s and 70s, Booth was an active member of his church. He also served on a city council committee and was appointed by Pres. Bill  Morgan of Colorado State to be on a human relations committee.

Booth was one of the Outstanding Educators of America in 1975 and won the Veterinarian of the Year Award from the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association in 1971. He was included in "Pharmacology and Pharmacologists: An International Directory" in their 1981 edition.

"He is a brilliant, sincere and honest man, and we and many others acknowledge that fact. His contributions to Colorado State are benefiting all — more than 1,300 — who worked and studied with him, all people bringing their animals to Colorado State for treatment and the university itself," the Blisses said.

-30-