The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors has named R. Scott Pleasant the new C.R. Roberts Professor of Clinical Veterinary Medicine.

Pleasant previously was professor of large animal clinical sciences and director of the Equine Podiatry Service at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. 

Kent C. Roberts established the C.R. Roberts Professorship in Clinical Veterinary Medicine to honor his father  Clarence, who began as a dairy practitioner in upstate New York and later worked in corporate veterinary medicine. Clarence retired as president of Sealtest, a division of Kraft Foods. 

Pleasant’s veterinary journey began when he joined Virginia Tech’s veterinary college in 1991 after having completed a residency in large animal surgery. He received his bachelor’s degree and doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) from Virginia Tech. He received his master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Pleasant began as an assistant professor and was promoted to professor with tenure. The C.R. Roberts professorship appointment is for 5 years and is renewable. 

Clinical and research interests of Pleasant include equine lameness, nutrition and podiatry. He helped establish the Equine Podiatry Service at Virginia Tech, which now includes an internship program, Advanced Farrier Certification Program and a podiatry rotation for DVM students. 

His students include both undergraduate and professional students, and he has received several college teaching awards and a National Teaching Excellence Award – Clinical Sciences, from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Other college service awards include the Virginia M. and Edward E. Thompson Award, granted in 2011. In addition, Pleasant was inducted into the International Equine Veterinarian Hall Of Fame in 2016. 

Pleasant is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association.