Charles H. Casey is a distinguished veterinarian and administrator with a strong rural background and an understanding of the challenges facing rural Minnesota. He holds a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Minnesota. Prior to his appointment as chancellor, he served as dean and director of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Early in his career, Dr. Casey served as a captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Following his military service, he worked for 27 years as a practitioner in rural veterinary medicine and was a partner in the Dodge Veterinary Clinic in West Concord and Dodge Center, Minnesota. In 1992, he was named the director of Veterinary Outreach Programs in the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, designing programs to connect the research and academic resources of the University with the needs of veterinarians, farmers, and businesses throughout Minnesota.

In 1968, he was elected to the West Concord Board of Education, a post he held until 1980. During that time, he served as chair, clerk, and treasurer. From 1979 to 1991, Dr. Casey was appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and from 1989-1991 served as chair. He was the vice chair of the North Central Extension Directors, as well as serving on the University of Minnesota Foundation Board, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute Advisory Board, and the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Board.

Dr. Casey has held leadership roles in many organizations including the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association and the Organizational Audit Task Force for the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Casey is a member of Phi Zeta Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine and Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture. Among Dr. Casey’s awards are the Outstanding Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota, Director’s Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Extension Service, Torch & Shield Award from the University of Minnesota, Crookston, and he was named Minnesota Veterinarian of the Year in 1984. He was the recipient of the Honorary State Future Farmers of America Degree and the Friend of 4-H Award.

Dr. Casey began his appointment as chancellor at the University of Minnesota, Crookston on September 12, 2005. Dr. Casey has three children, Shannon, Heather, and David and three grandchildren, Maggie, Griffin, and Reid. He and his wife, Barbara Muesing, enjoy traveling especially to see family. They have made frequent trips to Alaska where his son, daughter in-law, and their children live. Another favorite place to visit is Mexico, and they hope to travel to Australia and New Zealand in the future. They also plan to make a return visit to Ireland.