With a $16.5 million gift from Don Quattlebaum ’76, the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine has received its largest private donation. This generous gift will support the College in its efforts to serve South Carolina as the only college of veterinary medicine in the state. Quattlebaum is Clemson University’s latest Cornerstone Champion.
Quattlebaum’s donation will support multiple areas of the College, including the centerpiece of the College – the newly named Quattlebaum Hub, a state-of-the-art building featuring classroom space, conference rooms, a library, and a bookstore.
In addition to the Quattlebaum Hub, the Andy Quattlebaum Pavilion, named for Don and Hayden Quattlebaum’s beloved son, will serve as a serene outdoor space within the campus, providing students with a relaxing area to study and enjoy the outdoors, and offering a vital respite amidst the demanding course of studies.
His gift will also ensure that the College will attract top-tier faculty members through the Don and Hayden Quattlebaum Endowed Professorship and through an unrestricted endowment to address the College’s most pressing needs.
“I am honored to call Don Quattlebaum my friend and am grateful for the opportunity to continue the legacy of Hayden, Andy and the Quattlebaum and Blackwell families. Don’s gift represents an investment in the future of South Carolina. Their family’s legacy is significant and will continue to make a difference in the lives of future Tigers for generations to come.”
Clemson University President Jim Clements
Quattlebaum, together with the Andy Quattlebaum and Blackwell Family Foundation, has been a longtime supporter of Clemson and an advocate for animal-wellness and education across the Southeast. A hallmark of their philanthropic activities at Clemson has been student experiences focused on wellness and protection of natural resources, including the Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center on Clemson’s main campus and Andy’s Cottage at the Belle W. Baruch Institute in Georgetown, South Carolina.
“I am so thankful for Don’s continued commitment to our great University. His legacy of philanthropy continues to center around making a positive impact on students. This gift will support his great love for animals and the state of South Carolina and makes him our newest Cornerstone Champion, helping us move Clemson Fiercely Forward,” said Vice President of Advancement Brian O’Rourke.
“The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine will serve South Carolina and its farmers through large animal care, as well as the citizens of South Carolina who need care for their pets. I am proud to play a part in the establishment of this important College. This gift is for Andy and Hayden whose spirits I carry with me every day.”
Don Quattlebaum
“Don Quattlebaum’s gift is an investment in the future of animal and human health in South Carolina. It will allow us to train the next generation of veterinary clinicians and scientists to enhance the human animal bond for the benefit of our state and beyond,” said Steven Marks, founding dean of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine.
Quattlebaum’s gift comes at a pivotal time for the College as it recently began accepting applications for the first class of students, slated to begin in the Fall of 2026.
The College will leverage Clemson University’s strong foundation in animal science, agriculture, veterinary technology, and research programs. Its mission: to educate veterinarians who serve both large-and companion-animal populations, to drive research that safeguards animal and human health, and to help strengthen rural and agricultural economies across the region.
