Alan M. Kelly, PhD’68, dean of Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine from 1994 to 2005, died recently. He was 88.

Born in Scotland, Dr. Kelly completed his undergraduate work at the University of Reading and received his veterinary degree from the University of Bristol, both in England, in 1958 and 1962, respectively. After graduating from Bristol, he did his postdoctoral training at Penn Vet from 1962 to 1967. He received his PhD in pathology from Penn in 1967 and joined the faculty of Penn Vet the same year as an assistant professor of pathobiology. Five years later, he was promoted to associate professor; he became a full professor in 1979. Dr. Kelly served as chair of the school’s department of pathobiology from 1990 until his appointment as acting dean in January 1994. He was appointed dean of the school a year later (Almanac December 6, 1994). “[Dr. Kelly] is a distinguished scientist and an excellent teacher, and we are confident that under his leadership, the School of Veterinary Medicine will continue to strengthen its research, curriculum development, clinical activities and professional programs, and enhance its leadership role in veterinary education and care,” said then-Provost Stanley Chodorow upon Dr. Kelly’s appointment.

As dean of Penn Vet for eleven years, Dr. Kelly transformed the school, advancing its status as one of the most renowned veterinary schools in the U.S. He spearheaded laboratory renovations and construction of several new buildings and facilities, both at Penn Vet’s Philadelphia campus and at the suburban New Bolton Center. The school’s appropriation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania grew from $11 million to $37.3 million during his tenure, allowing students to attend with greater financial aid than before. “Throughout his tenure, Alan has worked successfully to solidify the school’s financial base,” said then-interim Provost Peter Conn (Almanac December 7, 2004). “He secured $50 million for a new teaching and research building and successfully led the most ambitious fund-raising initiative in the school’s history. Alan also has overseen the Veterinary School’s growth in NIH funding from $7.4 million to $17.8 million and a growth in sponsored research from $11.1 million to $25.2 million during that same time period.”

“We owe Alan an enormous debt of gratitude for his extraordinary leadership and service,” said Penn President emerita Amy Gutmann upon Dr. Kelly’s departure as dean in 2005. “He has been a wonderfully creative and energetic dean and has worked tirelessly and effectively to enhance the school’s reputation as the preeminent veterinary school in basic scientific research and superb clinical care.”

After taking a year-long sabbatical, Dr. Kelly remained involved with Penn Vet, continuing to teach until 2010, when he retired from Penn and took emeritus status. In his retirement, Dr. Kelly returned to Penn frequently to give guest lectures.

A renowned researcher on muscle disease and muscular dystrophy, Dr. Kelly authored more than 100 book chapters and scientific papers and was a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American Society for Cell Biology, and the Pennsylvania Muscle Institute. He received Penn’s Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1974.