Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed took time to provide veterinary students with a recap of developments in the past year during his annual State of the College address Wednesday, October 16, in Lynn 1136. After emphasizing events that marked the College’s 60th Anniversary, Dean Reed shared architect’s renderings of the new Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The drawings showed the proposed exterior elevations for the new Small Animal, Equine, and Farm Animal Hospital structures that will be constructed east of the existing Lynn Hall, along the new Williams Street extension. Dean Reed explained that plans call for breaking ground in the spring of 2020, completing the construction by December 2021, and moving in during the first part of 2022. The $108 million project is funded with a $73 million state appropriation as well as Purdue University funds and private donations. The College is in the process of raising $8.1 million to support construction of the new facilities.
Dean Reed also discussed points of pride for the College, including the continued number 1 ranking for the Veterinary Nursing Program. He also noted the growth in admissions applications, which numbered in excess of 1,670 for the upcoming academic year. Other information shared by Dean Reed included new faculty appointments and the success of fundraising initiatives, including the College’s participation in the University’s recently completed Ever True campaign. The College raised a total of $54,483,724, exceeding its original goal of $40 million.
The dean’s annual State of the College address has become a tradition organized each year by SAVMA Purdue.