Clemson University is looking for a founding dean of its proposed college of veterinary medicine as part of a project supported by the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians and state legislators.
A feasibility study conducted by the South Carolina Legislature determined that there has never been a better time to establish a veterinary school at Clemson due to state and national shortages of veterinarians.
Dr. Boyd Parr, an adjunct professor and special assistant to the provost in Clemson’s department of animal and veterinary sciences, is helping launch the program and is co-leading the search for a dean.
“I am acutely aware of the longstanding problem concerning access to veterinary care in rural areas for pets and farm animals,” Dr. Parr said. “These shortages have been a challenge for decades and have been growing.”
The Clemson University board of trustees accepted and approved the feasibility study earlier this year and is working with the Legislature on the funding needed to make the veterinary school a reality.
Clemson plans to enroll 80 students in each class, or 320 when the veterinary school is built out, giving South Carolina residents the ability to pursue a degree at an in-state tuition rate. Currently, South Carolina has arrangements with neighboring states to provide students with reduced or in-state tuition. For example, the University of Georgia accepts 29 South Carolina students, Mississippi State University welcomes 10, and Tuskegee University enrolls seven.
Dr. Parr said the estimated cost to build and equip the veterinary facilities is $285 million, which Clemson hopes the state will fund.
“Certainly, facility construction completion, avoiding supply-chain issues and obtaining a letter of reasonable assurance from the AVMA COE are among the important milestones that must be met for Clemson to achieve our goal of welcoming a first class in 2026,” Dr. Parr said.
The school would occupy 15 to 20 acres a few miles from Clemson’s main campus.
New veterinary schools also are proposed in Arkansas, New Jersey, Utah and West Virginia.