The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated another milestone on March 21, 2025. In partnership with Turner Construction, architects LS3P and Flad and Clemson Leadership, the team celebrated construction progress with a beam signing ceremony. With the CVM Hub in the background, a bright orange beam was adorned with dozens of signatures. They represented the hard work and teamwork put into this endeavor so far.
“The beam signing event was amazing,” said founding Dean, Steven Marks. “Standing on the site of our future campus with our Clemson colleagues under beautiful South Carolina blue skies surrounded by the Clemson Experimental Forest seemed like a dream. The fact that this dream of so many is now a reality was not lost in the excitement of the moment.”
The progress of building the college is thanks to support from Clemson University leadership and state lawmakers. State Senator Harvey S. Peeler Jr., a dairy farmer and the college’s namesake, was pivotal in generating excitement and support for the creation of the college. Addressing a statewide shortage of veterinarians, the CVM will teach talented veterinarians for generations to come. That would not be possible without support from legislators.
“This past November, members of the Clemson Family, Board of Trustees, community partners and our outstanding legislators, including Senator Harvey S. Peeler Jr., came together for our official groundbreaking ceremony at the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine,” said University President Jim Clements. “Now, nearly 4 months to the day, we are signing and placing the beam of what will be the Hub of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine, bringing the longstanding vision of a veterinary school for the state of South Carolina one step closer to reality. I am thankful for the continued support and commitment of all those who have made this possible and am excited for Clemson to lead fiercely forward in education, research and service for our state, region, and beyond.”
The orange beam will be placed atop the CVM Hub, a vibrant center of the new complex where students will attend classes, study and engage with each other. The beam signing and placement of the beam represents a historic moment for Clemson University. The CVM will be South Carolina’s first College of Veterinary Medicine.
“The signing of this beam represents more than just the progress of a building – it symbolizes a historic step forward for Clemson University and the state of South Carolina,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones. “The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine will address a critical shortage of veterinarians and serve as a cornerstone for advancing animal and human health, strengthening our state’s economy and keeping top talent in South Carolina.”
There was a special signature placed on the beam during the event: Dr. Tim Boosinger. He was the co-chair of the CVM Steering Committee and an instrumental resource in mapping out the creation of the college. He sadly passed away last January. His contributions will live on as the CVM continues to grow and positively impact the lives of people and animals in South Carolina and beyond.
“The event was especially meaningful as we placed Dr. Tim Boosinger’s digital signature on the beam posthumously,” said Dean Marks. “Dr. Boosinger was both an Auburn and Clemson Tiger who dedicated his career to veterinary medicine. Adding a new college to the Clemson Family is a very proud moment for the CVM team, and we were honored to recognize his contributions.”
The framing of the CVM hub is moving swiftly, and it’s expected that walls will enclose the entire structure by late summer. April will be a busy month with steel framing beginning on the Clinical Teaching and Research buildings, and site prep work will accelerate on the Equine Teaching and Food Animal buildings. Steel framing begins on the Ambulatory building in early summer.
View more photos from the event HERE.
As part of the beam signing event, Dean Marks was presented with a special gift, a commemorative jar of dirt from the construction site. A popular trend amongst sports fans who collect dirt from baseball fields, this token represents the historical nature of the creation of the college, beginning with just dirt but ending with an institution that will impact lives for decades to come.
“Collecting some earth from the CVM construction site will always remind us of where we came from and what an incredible opportunity it is to build the first College of Veterinary Medicine in South Carolina at Clemson University,” said Dean Marks. “Go Tigers!”
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