By: Morgan Reitzel, Follow South Jersey Intern
GLASSBORO, N.J. – Rowan University and state officials come together to celebrate a $30 million gift from South Jersey business man Gerald B. Shreiber for New Jersey’s first veterinary school on April 28.
The ceremony was held at Rowan’s West Campus in Harrison Township, NJ which is the location for the new veterinary school. The outdoor event had some furry visitors including birds, dogs, goats, a bunny and a skunk to join the announcement of the gracious gift.
With the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, the university will become one of two universities in the nation to offer Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees. The new university will offer degrees and training programs designed to give aspiring veterinarians a well rounded education in animal health care. Additionally, the university will have undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and internship/residency programs at the veterinary school and together with the Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester, an A.S. in veterinary technology to B.S. in veterinary technology pathway program will be available to students.
Shreiber, on top of being a gracious business man, lives on a 113-acre farm in Mullica hill with his wife Melanie where they have various rescue animals including dogs, horses, burros, goats, and one cat. “Animals help all of us live richer, fuller, more active lives. They have enriched my life tremendously. I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can help a broader group of talented people pursue their passion to treat and serve animals. I’m delighted and honored to help make a difference in veterinary medical education.” Shreiber exclaims.
As interest in veterinary care is high nationwide, admission continues to increase averaging about 6-7% each year. With the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges predicticting a shortage of veterinarians in the next two decades, something must be done. Surprisingly, there are only 33 veterinary schools in the nation and only five on the east coast. This forces aspiring veterinarians to join schools out of state, counting out students who can’t afford the out of state cost.
According to Inspira Advantage, the average cost of veterinary school can range from $78,479 to $155,295 for in-state students and $131,200 to $285,367 for out of state students. It is important to note that veterinary school is going to be expensive no matter where one goes, but it doesn’t have to be as expensive now for New Jersey students.
Pending accreditation approval, the first class of about 60-70 students will be attending the third named veterinary school in the United States in 2025. “In 2021, the New Jersey Legislature approved $75 million to help fund the construction of the school’s primary academic and clinical facilities that will consist of a 108,000-square-foot building with academic classrooms, educational and diagnostic laboratories, a teaching hospital, and administrative and faculty offices.”
The founder of Rancocas Veterinary Associates, Dr. Matthew C. Edson will become the new Dean of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University. In detail, Dr. Edson has special professional interests in miniature pig and small ruminant medicine and surgery and has lectured nationally on those subjects and has been a licensed veterinarian for more than a decade.
“New Jersey is home to some of the top medical care programs in the world. Our commitment to training world-class health care providers in all areas of the medical community will continue with the creation of our state’s first veterinary school. Rowan will be one of the only universities in the country to offer Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees. Combined with its terrific nursing program, Rowan University graduates will soon be providing medical care to every member of a family living in New Jersey,” states Governor Murphy.
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