Dr. Michael Thomas, professor in the Animal Sciences and Agricultural Department, is retiring on May 15 after 40 years of service, which began on campus as a pre-veterinary associate professor in the fall of 1985.

Thomas balanced a busy teaching workload and veterinary work for the campus livestock units when he first started teaching. This new, full-time position allowed him to regularly incorporate students into herd checks and veterinary procedures better preparing them for the rigorous application process for the small number of veterinary medicine schools across the country.

He also supported students in the Pre-Veterinary Club by creating interactions with industry professionals and field trips; organizing industry service opportunities such as vaccine clinics and volunteer hours; and offering career and academic advising for one of the college’s most popular and challenging programs among incoming students.

Research-wise, he organized several studies, which included the development of a new diagnostic system to diagnose cattle protozoal diseases such as trichomoniasis. He also helped create an antimicrobial skin protectant, BioSafe Lotion, for humans in the agricultural, industrial and medical fields. Its polymer-based formula bonds well to the skin to form a barrier to solvents, harmful chemicals and pathogens.

In 1999-2000, he started working with the late Dr. Gary Winegar as associate director of the campus Solutions Center. The enhanced, internship-type experience program partnered with local industries and was started by the Jordan College before it became a university-wide program under Provost Michael Ortiz. After Winegar’s retirement, Thomas served as the program’s director from 1999-2003.

In 2004-18, Thomas stepped away from teaching to become Fresno State’s faculty representative for the California Agricultural Leadership Program for 14 years. During the last seven years of his service, he worked full time as the director of education for the statewide leadership development program that brings together mid-career agriculturists identified as emerging leaders for an 18-month program.

In that span, he traveled with 250 professionals to engage in monthly sessions, visits and experiences that took them across California, Washington D.C. and a total of 35 developing countries. The program, considered one of the nation’s best, helps them positively shape the future of their communities, companies and the nation’s leading agricultural state.

He returned to the Jordan College to serve as its associate dean under Deans Sandra Witte and Dennis Nef from 2018-2020. For the past five years, he resumed teaching through the Faculty Early Retirement Program. This included the Animals and Society general education class, which he created in 1999, and helps students from all majors better understand animal ethics and issues and their appropriate care and use.

During his career, he has received a national-level USDA Excellence and University Teaching Award (2000), Provost Award for Teaching Excellence in Technology (1998) and the Salgo-Noren Excellence in Teaching Award (2000) — the Jordan College’s highest teaching honor.

Thomas, a native of Boise, Idaho, got his start in agriculture by farming with his family on a small dairy operation. After two years at Boise State University, he transferred to Brigham Young University, where he earned a B.S. in animal science. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University. After three years of working in two large animal practices in the Pacific Northwest, he entered the academic world at Fresno State.

In retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren and woodworking projects. Education is of utmost importance in the Thomas family, which includes three Ph.D.’s and two additional advanced degrees. His daughter, Monica Billen, is an associate professor in the Kremen School. He is also active in youth, church and community activities.