The state of Texas has known that another veterinary school of medicine was needed since as far back as 1971. After 47 years of waiting, that is all about to change. Texas Tech University and the city of Amarillo broke ground this morning on what will be known as the School of Veterinary Medicine Amarillo Campus and the School of Veterinary Medicine Mariposa Station. The new school will be located adjacent to the existing Texas Tech campus in Amarillo. This will be the first public school of veterinary medicine to open in Texas in over 100 years. Construction is slated to begin the in the next couple of weeks.

"This groundbreaking celebrates an achievement that symbolizes the best of what can result from cooperation that captures the synergies between education, city and state government, industry and individuals of exceptional vision and generosity," said Lawrence Schovanec, Texas Tech President. "Because of the support of so many, the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine will be able to provide students greater access to affordable and innovative education that will prepare them to serve the people of our state, especially those in rural areas, and the large-animal industry that is so important to the state and especially West Texas. This is a proud day for our state, West Texas and Texas Tech."

The two-story academic building will consist of two learning wings. The east wing will consist of three large classrooms, breakout rooms and office suites on the first floor, with leadership and faculty offices and graduate study and work rooms on the second floor. The west wing will consist of laboratory and research spaces, as well as locker rooms, surgery suites, housing for small animals and support rooms for anatomy and pathology instruction. The west wing also will include a lobby where veterinary partners can drop off animals for examination and surgical procedures.

 

The School of Veterinary Medicine is expected to open in the fall of 2021 and will enroll an initial pioneering class of approximately 60 students. The program also is designed to support graduate students involved in advanced research. Texas Tech's model will recruit and select students with a passion to practice and succeed in small, agricultural and regional communities and utilize a curriculum focused on the competencies and skills necessary to be successful in practices that support these communities. The model eliminates the need for a costly teaching hospital and, instead, partners with the community of veterinary practices across the state to provide clinical learning through collaboration.

Donors and civic leaders have pledged more than $90 million toward infrastructure, construction and scholarships for the School of Veterinary Medicine on the site of TTUHSC in Amarillo.

 

 

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