For David Wilkes, DVM, joining Clemson University’s Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine represents both a professional milestone and a personal homecoming.
A native of McColl, South Carolina, Wilkes was drawn to the opportunity to help build the state’s first College of Veterinary Medicine and support a program designed to serve the people and animals of South Carolina.
“As someone who was raised in rural South Carolina, I am excited to be a part of developing a new veterinary program designed to meet the needs of the citizens of South Carolina,” Wilkes said. “The emphasis on innovation and competency-based education particularly appealed to me, as it provides the opportunity to educate and train graduates who are truly day-one ready for clinical practice.”
Wilkes serves as a Professor of Practice in Small Animal General Practice, bringing decades of clinical experience and a passion for student learning to the PCVM. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with honors from Presbyterian College in 1996 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia in 2000. He later completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.
Since then, Wilkes has practiced small animal medicine and surgery across North and South Carolina, building a career centered on compassionate, evidence-based care for companion animals. His commitment to lifelong learning led him to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, achieving board certification in canine and feline practice in 2013 and recertification through 2034.
He recently completed a Master of Veterinary Education degree through Lincoln Memorial University in May 2026, further strengthening his focus on veterinary education and clinical excellence.
At Clemson, Wilkes is especially looking forward to guiding students throughout their educational journey and helping them develop the confidence and skills needed for success in practice.
“I am looking forward to working with students throughout the entire four-year program to help them develop the clinical reasoning, technical skills and confidence needed to succeed as veterinarians,” he said. “I enjoy connecting foundational and clinical sciences to real-world cases to promote clinical reasoning.”
He also values the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to create innovative approaches to teaching and assessment.
“I am particularly interested in developing assessment strategies that measure student competency as they progress through the curriculum,” Wilkes said. “My background in small animal general practice, along with board certification in canine and feline practice, allows me to connect foundational concepts in the pre-clinical curriculum with the skills and knowledge required for competent clinical practice.”
When he’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, sporting events, and spending time with his two dogs, Ashe (bottom) and Edisto (top).
