After competing elementary and secondary
education, attending the Toronto Teachers College, teaching in an elementary
school for several years, graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College, and
spending time in general veterinary practice, one might think that an education
was complete. However, the challenges and stress associated with caring
for farm and pet animals, and later with supervising an artificial insemination
program, prompted a return to university for specialized studies in
reproductive biology. The academic life proved to be much more
agreeable than performing midnight cesarean sections in cold barns, attempting
to castrate colts while the owner-restrainer was fainting, or having one's foot
crushed into the ground beneath the hoof of a one ton
bull. Thus,
when postgraduate training finished and a faculty position
was offered in
the Department of Animal & Poultry Science at the University of Guelph, little time
was needed to decide on acceptance.
Professorial activities at the University include teaching undergraduate and graduate students, designing and conducting research trials in reproductive physiology, and involvement in international livestock development projects. Over the years a comprehensive series of lecture notes were prepared on livestock production topics and these are still available on the Internet. Also, the ‘publish or perish' adage must have been taken seriously since G. King et al produced over 150 papers in refereed scientific journals and over 100 abstracts in proceedings of scientific meetings, plus a number of chapters for scientific books. Should anyone be interested in these, a complete list of publications can be accessed from my Curriculum Vitae.
One unexpected but gratifying perk associated with employment at Guelph was the opportunity for involvement with livestock research projects in developing countries through consulting missions with UN, government and non-government organizations. Numerous, all-expense paid trips to exotic locations provided opportunity to participate in livestock production and health programs in many African, Asian and Latin American countries. Details of these international assignments are also available through the Curriculum Vitae.
After retirement in 1998
and appointment as an Emeritus Professor, interests focus on family fun,
traveling, golfing, skiing, hiking, camping and spending more time
enjoying classic cars.
Check out the cool
Jaguar E-type that
was restored and driven for over ten years but passed on to another enthusiast
in 2002. Also, visit the spectacular
Lotus Elite , restored
and appreciated as a daily driver through springs, summers and falls from 1991
through until this delightful gem also moved to a collector late in 2005.
Unfortunately, my present state of maturity now precludes crawling around, into
and under automobiles so further restorations are unlikely.
