Dr. Clyde Taylor, a Natchez native and 1953 Cathedral School graduate, recently received a 2007 Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumnus Award at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

The award is in honor of Taylor’s contributions to animal welfare, his community and the veterinary profession.

Taylor and fellow recipients Drs. Annelda Baetz of San Antonio, Texas, and Wayne Roberts of Enterprise, Ala., accepted the awards May 8 during the college’s commencement ceremony.

“He has had an outstanding career of service to the state of Mississippi, the region and the nation,” said Dr. Timothy Boosinger, Auburn veterinary dean.

“He played a vital role in the formation of Mississippi State’s veterinary college.”

Taylor, a 1960 graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, was one of the 17 founding faculty members of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1976.

He earned his bachelor’s degree at MSU in 1956 before enrolling at Auburn.

He earned a master’s degree in public health in 1964 from Tulane University and then worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

After time in private practice and as a poultry consultant, he joined the MSU facutly.

He retired from MSU and the Extension Sevice in 1996, but he has continued his involvement to this day. He also served 20 years in the Air National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Taylor has served as president of the MVMA and of the Central Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association.

He has been chairman of the animal shelter in Brandon, a scoutmaster, and director of several banks.

He currently works part-time as a real estate agent for commercial realty Services.