Clemson University’s College of Veterinary Medicine continues to take shape with a target launch date of 2026.
Recently, Clemson’s Board of Trustees approved to increase the Phase 1 budget for the construction of facilities at the College of Veterinary Medicine to $110,466,000 to reflect the total funding provided by the State of South Carolina in the FY23 and FY24 budgets. The Board previously authorized $10M in Phase 1 funding through the FY23 appropriation. Clemson announced the establishment of the state’s first college of veterinary medicine in July.
The additional funds enable the University to continue planning and design activities, begin initial site work and award early release packages for long lead time items such as HVAC equipment, electrical transformers and switchgear, and structural systems.
Initial site work for the College is scheduled to begin in April, with a planned completion for Fall 2026 when, pending accreditation, the University expects to enroll its first class.
South Carolina is just one of 22 states without a veterinary college. The inaugural dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Steven Marks, said Clemson has a great history of training students in the curriculum that would be pre-veterinarian. These students – approximately 200 of them in 2022 – left South Carolina to attend schools in different states.
“This new college is a great opportunity to unify the state for animal care and the human-animal bond. We have some top priorities to ensure we’re helping our state that relies on animal agriculture,” said Marks, who added that there is a deficit of veterinarians across almost all counties in South Carolina. “We’re fortunate right now to have this opportunity.”
The veterinary profession is incredible – it’s emotionally rewarding. There is something special about the human-animal bond that crosses across all parts of society. And there is something special about Clemson University that people will only experience if they come here. We are excited to share the first glimpse of Clemson’s College of Veterinary Medicine.”
Dr. Steven Marks, founding dean of Clemson’s college of veterinary medicine