Each year, Colorado State University and the CSU Alumni Association recognize outstanding alumni who have excelled in their professions and made significant contributions to their industries, communities, and the University.

Dr. Richard Kiely (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, ’76)

Dr. Richard “Rich” Kiely is a practicing veterinarian with extensive experience in equine medicine and large-animal livestock medicine. He has consulted extensively across the West, drawing on personal knowledge of ranching and farming.

Kiely earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado before attending CSU and then spent 3-1/2 years at Texas A&M University completing a residency in internal medicine and pursuing additional graduate studies in physiology.

He has served on numerous boards, including the Gates Family Foundation, and various hospital and health care boards, such as the Wickenburg Community Hospital in Arizona, as well as Roundup Riders of the Rockies, and Cody Resources Management.

He and his wife, Sandra, have been philanthropic leaders at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, helping to create the largest class scholarship for the D.V.M. class of 1976.

During his career, Kiely has mentored and counseled numerous veterinarians and been involved in national conversations about the changing face of veterinary medicine, especially related to farming and ranching communities.

For more information about this year’s recipients, and to register for the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards in October, visit alumni.colostate.edu/distinguished-alumni-awards.