Thank you for your interest in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, a wonderful world of learning, discovery, and engagement focused on animal and human health and well-being. Please explore our website to find out more about the traits that distinguish Purdue Veterinary Medicine from the 30 other colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S.
I am very pleased and honored to be a member of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine family, both as a graduate and as dean. My association with Purdue University dates back to the late 1970s. After earning my Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at Tuskegee University, I came to West Lafayette, Ind., to pursue a PhD in veterinary pathology. In 1982, with my newly minted PhD degree in-hand, I was excited to join the Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty, serving as associate professor of avian pathology and as chief of avian disease diagnostic services in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. In 1990, I accepted an offer at Michigan State University (MSU) to become a full professor and director of the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (now called the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory). Later, I also was named chairperson of the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation at MSU.
I have many fond memories of my tenure at MSU, and it wasn’t until 2006 when an opportunity came along that really caught my attention and caused me to seriously consider moving. Not surprisingly, the opportunity was with Purdue University. As I looked into the opening for dean of the veterinary school, my mind was flooded with memories of the very special, palpable feeling of family that characterizes the community of Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty, staff, and students. The chance to return to the Purdue campus and lead this team was especially compelling. I accepted the appointment effective in January 2007, and began the most exciting and rewarding time of my career.
Since then, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has achieved a number of significant milestones. The college celebrated its 60th Anniversary, and the 150th Anniversary of Purdue University, in 2019. Soon after in February 2020, construction crews broke ground for the college's new $108 million veterinary hospital facilities. Encompassing 162,500 square feet, the new facilities, known collectively as the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex, include an expansion of the existing Small Animal Hospital and new Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals to replace the existing Large Animal Hospital. Opened in the spring of 2022, the new facilities optimize hands-on learning for students and create dedicated space for community engagement opportunities. In addition, the complex’s larger footprint and updated equipment increase clinical research and allow faculty researchers to respond to more clinical trial opportunities, thus expanding the College of Veterinary Medicine’s reputation as a world-renowned research institute.
This project follows previous work to modernize existing teaching facilities in concert with a 20% increase in our DVM class size, which now numbers 84. We also have significantly increased the diversity of our student body, while recruiting outstanding faculty in a wide range of disciplines from around the globe. At the same time, we have preserved true hallmarks of our College, including our emphasis on imparting real-world skills and problem-solving abilities, and graduating “practice-ready” veterinarians. We also remain one of very few colleges that teaches both DVM and veterinary nursing students, giving us a decided advantage in preparing our graduates to succeed in a team-oriented approach to animal health care delivery.
Whatever your reason for visiting the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine virtually, I trust you will find the answers you need along with a warm welcome from our Purdue Veterinary Medicine family.
