New Jersey's first vet school celebrates groundbreaking and grand generosity

By Rowan University

April 30^th, 2023

Before a capacity crowd on April 28, Gov. Murphy joined the Rowan community and friends witnessing history at the groundbreaking for the state's first veterinary school. But before the ceremonial dig, President Ali Houshmand announced a landmark gift: a $30 million pledge to support the school from longtime Rowan supporter, business leader and lifelong animal lover Gerald Shreiber. With Mr. Shreiber's donation—the second-largest to Rowan from an individual and the third-largest ever—the University unveiled the school's new name: the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine.

Kudos from the governor, proud moments for the Rowan family

Powerful public support in Trenton for the vet school laid the foundation for establishing it in 2022 before Mr. Shreiber's gift would distinguish the school as only the third in the nation named for a benefactor.

Governor Murphy commended Rowan's South Jersey advocates, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assemblyman Bill Moen and Senator Troy Singleton for their energetic commitment to education and economic development through Rowan initiatives.

New Jersey's first vet school celebrates groundbreaking and grand generosity

A longtime friend and advocate of Rowan, former Senate President Steve Sweeney helped ensure a strong start for the vet school and continues to be enthusiastic about Rowan's trajectory.

State Senator Troy Singleton is a proud Rowan alumnus. He told the crowd of the ever-increasing value of a degree from his alma mater.

State Assemblyman and enthusiastic Rowan alumnus Bill Moen shared his vision for Rowan's leadership in South Jersey's future, especially with the potential of the new vet school.

Counter-clockwise from bottom left, Gov. Phil Murphy, benefactor Gerry Shreiber, Rowan President Ali Houshmand, Assemblyman Bill Moen, Dean Matthew Edson, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, Provost Tony Lowman and Senator Troy Singleton.

Aspiring vets choose Rowan

The first group of students admitted to Rowan's accelerated BS/DVM 3+4 program joined the celebration and greeted Mr. Shreiber and Mrs. Shreiber.

Media capture the story, guests enjoy the excitement

With cameras rolling and reporters eager to post the big news, President Houshmand (cradling Sophy, below), Dean Edson and Gov. Murphy told why the Shreiber School is so important. Meanwhile, Rowan students, employees and friends gathered to be part of the landmark announcement and activities.

Members of Rowan's Pre-Vet Club joined the celebration with Matthew Bealor, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences and club advisor.

Kimble Byrd, Ph.D., retired professor of management in Rowan's Rohrer College of Business, greeted Mr. Shreiber. The two recalled Shreiber's visits to talk with Byrd's students about business.

Video highlights

Building the new facility

The 108,000-square-foot building will rise on Rowan's West Campus, anchoring the next wave of development adjacent to the Innovation Center at South Jersey Technology Park of Rowan University. As the base for the vet school's academic and clinical activities, it will include classrooms, educational and diagnostic laboratories, a teaching hospital and offices.

The facility will serve veterinary school students, employees, visitors and clients of the teaching hospital.

Students will benefit from anatomy instruction for large and small animals in the facility’s laboratory.

The surgical gallery will allow veterinary students to observe procedures in the state-of-the-art operating suite.

Ready to serve large animals

Addressing the pressing need to provide care for large animals, the vet school will launch the first of its mobile clinical services in summer 2023. As part of its teaching hospital's outreach, the mobile services will eventually provide students with essential field practice.