The highest honor that Sigma Delta Epsilon-Graduate Women in Science gives to an outstanding woman in science is the Honorary Member Award.  There are two areas: 1) for Excellence in Scientific Research and 2) Excellence in Scientific Teaching. Any SDE/GWIS member in good standing can submit a nomination to the Honorary Awards Committee for review.  If approved, this nomination will go before the National Council and subsequently, upon approval, will be sent to all the chapters for their vote. A 2/3 majority vote of the Grand Chapter is required for the approval of a new Honorary Member. Xi Chapter officially nominated Dr. Griselda (Bee) Hanlon (Xi) who became our 2009 Honorary Member. A presentation of the award is scheduled at the Xi September meeting.  Following is Dr. Hanlon’s impact on science in the area of Excellence in Scientific Teaching at the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Hanlon received her B.S. in Entomology from Montana State University in 1943.   In the following year, she joined the WAVES (U.S. Navy - WWII) where she was assigned to the Epidemiology Unit at the Naval Hospital in San Diego.  In 1948, Dr. Hanlon was admitted to the second class of the newly formed University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine.  She and one other female applicant were initially rejected from admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine, but after protests from prominent alumni of the University and the canine breeding community, both woman were accepted.  Dr. Hanlon and her one female classmate had the distinct honor of being the first two women to graduate with their Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine in 1952. 

Dr. Hanlon remained at the University of Minnesota as an Instructor while she pursued a Master's degree and attained her Board Certification in Veterinary Radiology.  In 1963, Dr. Hanlon was hired as the first female tenure-track professor in the University of Minnesota's School of Veterinary Medicine.  She advanced in rank to full professor, teaching a wide variety of classes to undergraduate and graduate students.

In 1969, Dr. Hanlon became the first female Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Radiology.  Dr. Hanlon served as Secretary in the Educators in Veterinary Radiology Society, later becoming elected as President of the American Veterinary Radiology Society.  She was elected the U.S. Representative of the International Veterinary Radiology Association and was also the Program Chairwoman for the International Meeting in 1973. 

Dr. Hanlon expanded her research and diagnostic skills through a quarter-term sabbatical at the Veterinary School in Langford, England and with a year-long sabbatical in Radiology at the Royal Veterinary School in Stockholm, Sweden.  In addition to her love of teaching, Dr. Hanlon's primary research interests were in developing the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of radiology for veterinary medicine.  She is also widely noted for her pioneering research in hip dysplasia.  Her booklet "Canine Hip Dysplasia" was widely noted and was well-received nationally and internationally.