Dale Van Vleck has had a distinguished career serving the animal sciences. He is considered one of the outstanding scientists in the USDA Agricultural Research Service, having been promoted to a level achieved only by an elite group. At Cornell University, he established an internationally recognized program in dairy cattle genetics and genetic evaluation procedures. After achieving the rank of professor emeritus from Cornell, he moved on to establish a productive career in Nebraska with the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. His creative abilities are reflected in numerous scientific publications involving diverse approaches and a wide variety of topics. He is recognized as one of the most outstanding animal genetics researchers and educators and has mentored scientists from all over the world. He has served as major advisor for 40 Ph.D. and 29 M.S. students, has supervised 12 postdoctorates, and worked with 19 undergraduate honors students. He has hosted 51 visiting scientists from all over the world.