Clemson University’s Board of Trustees officially approve the development of new College of Veterinary Medicine

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Clemson University announced it received official approval from its Board of Trustees to develop a college of veterinary medicine. This approval means Clemson will be home to the first college of veterinary medicine in South Carolina and Clemson’s first professional school.

“Today is a historic day. We are thrilled that Clemson University has received landmark funding to establish the state of South Carolina’s first college of veterinary medicine,” expressed Jim Clements, Clemson University President, in an organizational release.¹ “Clemson University is continuing its mission of positively impacting the lives of our students and the citizens of South Carolina. The new college will continue to elevate the state of South Carolina by meeting the needs of our communities, retaining top talent, supporting the state’s economy, and protecting animal and human health.”

According to the organizational release,¹ this historic approval comes after the completion of the FY24 state budget that included support from Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina General Assembly. The Clemson School of Veterinary Medicine will welcome its first class of veterinarians in the Fall of 2026 with the school leveraging its already existing animal health programs and infrastructure.

“Veterinarians today play an increasingly important role, in addition to caring for both companion and farm animals, protecting public health, playing an essential role in food safety as well as in detection and control of zoonotic diseases,” said Boyd Parr, co-chair of the Clemson College of Veterinary Medicine steering committee and retired South Carolina State Veterinarian.¹ “This new veterinary college can produce the veterinarians and research that will contribute to a better future for our citizens and our animals.”’

Reference

Clemson Trustees officially approve development of new College of Veterinary Medicine. News release. Clemson University. June 22, 2023. Accessed June 26, 2023. https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-trustees-officially-approve-development-of-new-college-of-veterinary-medicine/