Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine prepares for name change

West Lafayette, Ind.

— The Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine is changing its name.

The Purdue University's Board of Trustees voted on Dec. 17 to change the name of the veterinary program to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. The change will become effective starting with the 2012 spring semester.

"The name more accurately reflects the size and scope of the programs within the School of Veterinary Medicine," says Dr. Willie M. Reed, dean of Purdue’s veterinary program. "In addition to the doctorate of veterinary medicine program, we now offer the baccalaureate degree and the associate degree in veterinary technology. We also offer the master of science and PhD degrees in a number of biomedical disciplines. The change would be more in line with the other major units on campus and reduce confusion by some who mistakenly believe that our school is part of another Purdue college.

Reed adds all but five of the 28 veterinary programs in the United States use “college” in their names, as opposed to “school.”

“This will help ensure an accurate understanding of our mission,” he says.