More than 90 individuals and organizations contributed to establish the David J. Ellis Endowed Chair in Antimicrobial Resistance and Large Animal Clinical Sciences to carry on the tradition of excellence in teaching, research, and service that Ellis established at MSU.

Dr. Pamela Ruegg is the first person to hold the endowed chair, and leads the Antimicrobial Stewardship and Dairy Health Management Laboratory. As a student at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ruegg fondly recalls being taught by Ellis, and was strongly influenced by his practical approach to serving animal agriculture.