Dr. Allen D. Leman

Dr. Allen D. Leman understood how a university could influence practitioners and empower them to be leaders for the swine industry. Throughout his career, he worked to define the link between swine disease and swine production. Born in Eureka, Ill., he grew up on a farm and graduated from the University of Illinois. He earned his DVM degree in 1968, his master’s degree in 1969, and his PhD in 1974. He then joined the University of Minnesota as a University of Minnesota Extension veterinarian. He taught swine medicine, researched disease and production problems of pigs, and lectured to swine producers all over the world.

Working with Dr. Jim Hanson, director of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s continuing education program, Dr. Leman initiated this conference in 1974. What began in a small lecture hall on the Saint Paul campus has now evolved into the multisession, international meeting it is today—attracting nearly 1,000 attendees annually to present new information and discuss issues important to the swine industry.

Dr. Leman’s vision of excellence continues to inspire the swine faculty at the College of Veterinary Medicine to provide thought leadership, research, and teaching that shape the development of this conference program. After Dr. Leman’s death in 1992, the conference was named in his honor.