The last beam is in place at New Jersey’s first veterinary school on Rowan University’s campus
Officials signed the final beam 11 months before the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine welcomes its first class.
Listen 1:06
The building that will house the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine and the Virtua Health College Research Center rises on the Rowan University Campus in Harrison Township. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
From Camden and Cherry Hill to Trenton and the Jersey Shore, what about life in New Jersey do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know.
Officials and dignitaries celebrated a milestone Monday morning by grabbing a Sharpie to sign the final beam that will be put in place to finish the frame of New Jersey’s first veterinary school.
On Rowan University’s West Campus in Gloucester County sits the framing of what will be the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine. In less than a year, the first class of veterinary students will begin their coursework, which will involve hands-on experience from day one, according to the school’s founding dean, Dr. Matthew Edson.
“That’s what we all want to do when we come to vet school, and then we’re in a lot of books,” he said. “The books are important, but we want them to have those hands-on skills to go out into the world and make a difference from the day that they start.”
-
Dr. Matthew C. Edson, founding dean of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University, speaks during a ceremony celebrating the placement of the final beam in the $176 million facility that will house New Jersey's first veterinary school. (Emma Lee/WHYY) -
Dr. Matthew C. Edson, founding dean of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University, speaks during a ceremony celebrating the placement of the final beam in the $176 million facility that will house New Jersey's first veterinary school. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Edson said the 30 people currently on staff are working on what he describes as an “innovative curriculum.” Between now and the August 2025 opening, the school plans to hire 100 more people in the next large hiring wave, which will include clinicians to provide care for animals at an animal hospital that will operate 24 hours a day.
“They’ll do a little bit of both students and hospital,” he added, “but staffing a hospital this size requires a lot of folks.”
The school’s name was revealed at the groundbreaking in April 2023. J&J Snack Food chairman Gerry Shreiber is donating $30 million in scholarships for the school. The 162,000-square-foot facility will be split between the Shreiber School and the Virtua Health College Research Center.
-
The building that will house the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine and the Virtua Health College Research Center rises on the Rowan University Campus in Harrison Township. (Emma Lee/WHYY) -
Donor Gerald Shreiber and his wife, Melanie (right), attend a ceremony celebrating the placement of the final beam in the $176 million facility that will house the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, New Jersey's first veterinary school, at Rowan University. (Emma Lee/WHYY) -
Rowan University President Ali Houshmand speaks during a ceremony celebrating the placement of the final beam in the $176 million facility that will house New Jersey's first veterinary school. (Emma Lee/WHYY) -
U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross speaks during a ceremony celebrating the placement of the final beam in the $176 million facility that will house New Jersey's first veterinary school at Rowan University. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Related Content
Rowan’s veterinarian school breaks ground and gains a name
J&J Snack Foods chair Gerald Shreiber’s name was added to Rowan’s School of Veterinary Medicine after he gave $30 million for scholarships.
2 years ago
Officials said this will help retain New Jersey students interested in studying veterinary medicine and provide an affordable opportunity to stay in the state to further their education.
“Students who are interested in this major, they have to go to different states, pay a lot of money … and chances are they will never come back here to practice,” said Rowan University President Dr. Ali Houshmand, who added that there was a lot of opportunity in South Jersey where there is a lot of farming and agriculture.
“There are a lot of animals,” he said. “Whether it’s feed animals, whether it’s pets, whether it’s sports animals, there are lots of them.”
Get daily updates from WHYY News!
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Rowan University president lays down 10-year vision, wants college to drive region’s economic growth
The long-time leader of the South Jersey institution has begun to seek community input to design his vision for the next decade.
9 months ago
Listen 0:59
Rowan’s veterinarian school breaks ground and gains a name
J&J Snack Foods chair Gerald Shreiber’s name was added to Rowan’s School of Veterinary Medicine after he gave $30 million for scholarships.
2 years ago
2 men banned from Rowan University campus after racial slur on Black student’s door
Two men face charges, while police are trying to identify a third man involved in an incident where the N-word was scrawled in the dorm room of a Black student.
2 years ago