As an annual fall tradition made possible by SAVMA Purdue, the Dean’s State of the College address provides Purdue veterinary students a first-person report from the College of Veterinary Medicine’s CEO on the highlights of the past year. Dean Willie Reed gave the annual talk during the lunch hour Wednesday, September 27, in Lynn 1136. He recapped major accomplishments, reviewed significant events and milestones, and also described a special art project that the students will be able to personally participate in during the coming year.
The dean began the presentation by emphasizing the impact of the new $108 million David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex that opened in May and June of 2022. Dean Reed noted that with the benefit of the expanded Small Animal Hospital and the new Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals, the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital caseload has been steadily increasing, reaching nearly 20,100 in the most recent fiscal year that ended June 30. Those cases included more than 11,300 dogs, nearly 4,780 cats, 2,300 horses, and close to 900 bovine and swine.
Dean Reed also praised the accomplishments of the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which provides vital support to Indiana veterinarians, animal health officials, livestock producers, and animal owners through accurate and reliable diagnostic testing. Recognizing the ADDL’s vital role and outstanding work, the Indiana legislature approved a 35% increase in ADDL funding this year.
The students also heard about the college’s annual budget, which exceeds $89,650,000 for the current fiscal year, and the key income streams, including revenue from research grants as well as gifts and endowments. The dean also pointed out that the college reached a record level of external research funding, which totaled more than $15 million for fiscal year 2022-2023, while funding from private giving exceeded $20 million for the third year in a row.
Dean Reed also highlighted the importance of global engagement, including study abroad programs for Purdue veterinary students and international exchange relationships that bring veterinary students to Lynn Hall from other countries, including Japan and China. He noted that the number of students going abroad for veterinary internships and externships continues to grow, with 65 students planning such adventures this academic year.
The dean concluded the program by sharing exciting plans for a new mural art project to be created by award-winning community mural artist Tia Richardson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who visited Lynn Hall Monday as the first step in the mural process. Emphasizing that Tia relies on community engagement to create her murals, Dean Reed encouraged the students to participate in workshops that Tia will conduct during the year to gather ideas and input for the design. He also enthusiastically shared that they actually will be able to help paint the mural on the wall in the hallway connecting the Brunner Small Animal Hospital to Lynn Hall, when that phase of the project begins next spring.
