MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE
EAST LANSING

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY January 25, 1955

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
University of Wisconsin
Madison 6, Wisconsin

Dear Joshi

H. J. Stafseth, Chairman of our Department of Bacteriology and
Public Health, is in his last year before retirement. In anticipation
of this event, a group of men in Biology have been informally discussing
possible successors. Recognizing the importance of this avnointment for
the future of Biology at this Institution, we are anxious that the new
Chairman be a good one. We consequently have decided to write toa few
of our friends who may have suggestions to make along these lines.

The Department of Bacteriology and Public Health at this Institution
is in both the School of Science and Arts and the School of Veterinary
Medicine. It is a large department, occuvying a large new building, with
superb basic equipment. It is, however, an "old line" department, which
places heavy emphasis on Applied Bacteriology. In this area it has achieved
some excellence, but it has lagged behind seriously in modern basic research.
It offers the usual courses in General and Applied Bacteriology, but Immuno-
chemistry and Bacterial Genetics are completely unrepresented, and Physiology
and Biochemistry have only token representation.

A fortunate appointment of a new Chairman would provide the opportunity
to remedy this state of affairs. There are heavy pressures, however, to
continue the present program of Applied Research. It becomes necessary
therefore to look for a man who could satisfy these pressures and who would
at the same time have the necessary breadth and vigor to build the kind of
department which we would desire.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions that you can make. Needless
to say, this inquiry is strictly confidential.

§ Ph Len

Cordially yours, C y
tate TAN

Fan, CL ae

Allen 5. Fox
Associate Professor of Zoology

   

f entenna “iT 1S FOR US THE LIVING ... TO BE DEDICATED HERE TO THE UNFINISHED WORK ....”
1855-1955 LINCOLN