SENATE CONFIRMS AU GRAD CRAWFORD AS FDA COMMISSIONER

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. -- The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Auburn University alumnus Dr. Lester Crawford as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr. Crawford, 66, a 1963 AU veterinary graduate and Demopolis native, received a 78 16 vote in approval of his nomination, which was made by President Bush in February. He becomes the first veterinarian to serve in the position.

"We've known of his ability for many years because he has been very active in supporting the College of Veterinary Medicine," said Dr. Timothy Boosinger, AU veterinary dean. "He was awarded our Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1989, and he was kind enough to speak at our 2004 annual conference. He will do an excellent job leading the FDA."

Dr. Crawford had served as acting FDA commissioner since March 2004 and had previously served two years as deputy commissioner, including nine months as acting commissioner in 2002.

His background also includes serving as director of the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy in Washington, D.C., and as executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. He has worked more than 13 years with the FDA and the USDA, including three years as director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

In addition to his AU veterinary degree, he has a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Georgia and an honorary doctorate from Budapest University.

Auburn University is a preeminent land-grant and comprehensive research institution with nearly 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama's largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

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