Clemson University breaks ground on South Carolina’s first veterinary school

Logo courtesy of Clemson University

Clemson University in South Carolina broke ground on its’ future veterinary school on Friday, while also announcing its’ new name. The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine is poised to be the only school in the state that will award Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, according to the university.¹

The development of a new veterinary school was approved by Clemson University’s Board of Trustees approval in June 2023.² Several months later, Steven Marks, BVSc, was announced its’ founding dean.³

Friday’s groundbreaking was held on the site of the new complex, which is located across the street from Clemson University’s Equine Center in Pendleton and is adjacent to the Clemson Experimental Forest. The complex is comprised of 6 buildings, which are designed to provide students with spaces for collaboration, hands-on learning and personal growth, according to the university.¹

“What an amazing time for this University and our state,” said Marks of the ground breaking. “Our goal is to create day-one-prepared veterinarians to serve communities around South Carolina. Animal and human health are directly connected, and we are so proud to be a part of creating the next generation of veterinarians,” he added.¹

The new doctorate program was named in honor of Harvey S. Peeler Jr., a 1970 Clemson University graduate, who has served as a senator in the South Carolina General Assembly since 1980. “Senator Peeler has passionately supported the development of a college of veterinary medicine for more than 20 years, and his efforts throughout the process have been instrumental in developing this new college at Clemson,” Kim Wilkerson, the board’s chair, said in a news release.¹

Peeler is chairman of the state’s Senate Finance Committee as well as a cattle farmer in Gaffney, South Carolina. According to the university, he has experienced firsthand the need for large and small animal veterinarians in the state. In a public statement, the senator noted the day’s ground breaking was a dream that has been a long time in the making. “This is not just about education—it is about taking care of our animals, supporting our farmers, growing our economy and filling the need for veterinarians in South Carolina,” said Peeler.¹

In addition to Peeler and Marks, speakers at the ground breaking ceremony included Clemson University President Jim Clements.¹ “The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine will be an incredible asset not only for Clemson University but for the entire state of South Carolina, our region and beyond,” Clements said. “Today’s historic groundbreaking is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the South Carolina General Assembly, the Clemson University Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and champions like Senator Harvey Peeler. Together, we are further elevating our land-grant mission and continuing to meet the needs of our communities through education, research and service.”

The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine aims to prepare highly skilled and caring veterinarians to address a critical shortage in the state. It is designed to help address the shortage of veterinarians in the state. According to a university news release, a third of South Carolina counties have fewer than 5 veterinarians, and 48% of the state’s counties have fewer than 10 veterinarians. Although qualified candidates are applying to veterinary colleges, 500 to 1000 candidates are not admitted because of a capacity shortage at existing colleges.¹

The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine is undergoing the process of earning accreditation in anticipation of welcoming its first class in the fall of 2026. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and curriculum have been approved by the Board of Trustees, while the hiring of faculty and staff continues.¹

Expanding veterinary education

Clemson University joins other institutions with veterinary schools in development that are aiming to welcome their first students in 2026. These programs include those at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in Princess Anne, which hired its’ first permanent dean, Stanley Robertson, DVM, this past July^4,5; Hanover College in Indiana, which plans to launch a hybrid program⁶; and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, which recently saw funding approved by its’ Board of Trustees for building a home for the College of Veterinary Medicine.⁷

Pending accreditation, the UMES school is poised to become the first veterinary college in Maryland and the first of the nation’s public historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to offer a DVM degree, according to UMES news release. The UMES veterinary school is also poised to be only the second of all HBCUs to provide a doctorate-level veterinary education, followed by Tuskegee University in Alabama.⁴

“Deeply rooted in our 1890 land-grant mission, this program will enable us to serve farmers, the food industry and the 50% of Marylanders who own a pet. It will also increase both the diversity of the profession and address the workforce needs of the industry,” said UMES President Heidi M. Anderson, PhD, MS, in the UMES release.⁴

At Hanover College, the DVM program will feature a blend of online lectures and discussions, along with centralized laboratory and regional clinical experiences. The college aims to have students complete the curriculum in 3 years. This program will run year-round and is separated into 9 semesters, allowing students to complete the curriculum, including clinical rotations, in 3 years.⁶

“Many qualified candidates who want to be veterinarians have to go abroad to seek a veterinary education,” Hanover president, Lake Lambert, said in a release.⁶ “This is a tremendous loss of talent for Indiana, so our program creates a great opportunity to attract and retain more talent to Indiana.”

Other Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree programs in development include the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University in Harrison Township, New Jersey, which is accepting applications for its first class in the fall of 2025⁸; a college of veterinary medicine at Rocky Vista University in Billings, Montana⁹; and the Chamberlin University School of Veterinary Medicine in Stockbridge, Georgia.¹⁰

References

1. Clemson breaks ground on Harvey S Peeler Jr College of Veterinary Medicine. News release. Clemson University. November 22, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-breaks-ground-on-harvey-s-peeler-jr-college-of-veterinary-medicine/
2. Clemson University’s Board of Trustees officially approve the development of new College of Veterinary Medicine. dvm360. June 26, 2023. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/clemson-university-s-board-of-trustees-officially-approve-the-development-of-new-college-of-veterinary-medicine
3. McCafferty C. Clemson University College of Veterinary Medicine welcomes inaugural dean. dvm360. September 21, 2023. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/clemson-university-college-of-veterinary-medicine-welcomes-inaugural-dean
4. Coppock K. University of Maryland Eastern Shore plans to admit first veterinary students in 2026. dvm360. February 26, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/university-of-maryland-eastern-shore-plans-to-admit-first-veterinary-students-in-2026
5. UMES hires first permanent dean for School of Veterinary Medicine. News release. University of Maryland Eastern Shore. July 12, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://wwwcp.umes.edu/pr/umes-hires-first-permanent-dean-for-school-of-veterinary-medicine/
6. Yankowicz S. Hanover College helps alleviate veterinary shortage by offering a DVM program. dvm360. January 30, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/hanover-college-helps-alleviate-veterinary-shortage-by-offering-a-dvm-program
7. ASU trustees approve $48 million in capital projects at A-State, highlighted by new veterinary school facility. News release. Arkansas State University. September 14, 2024. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://www.astate.edu/news/asu-trustees-approve-48-million-in-capital-projects-at-a-state-highlighted-by-new-veterinary-school-facility
8. Bautista-Alejandre A. First veterinary school in New Jersey is now accepting applications. dvm360. October 28, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/first-veterinary-school-in-new-jersey-now-accepting-applications
9. Rocky Vista announces plans for college of veterinary medicine amid growing vet shortage. KTVQ. January 12, 2024. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/rocky-vista-announces-plans-for-college-of-veterinary-medicine-amid-growing-vet-shortage#google_vignette
10. Bautista-Alejandre A. AVMA Council on Education site visits for 2024. dvm360. July 10, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/avma-council-on-education-site-visits-for-2024