Texas A&M Opens New $120‐Million Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Education Complex
COLLEGE STATION – Veterinary education in Texas recently upgraded with the opening of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ new $120-million Veterinary and Biomedical Education Complex (VBEC), which redefines the term “state-of-the-art.” The new complex is home to modern laboratory spaces, technologically enhanced classrooms and study spaces that facilitate collaboration.
Numerous state officials, government leaders, Texas A&M administrators, and members of the public visited the new facility on Friday, Nov. 11 to celebrate VBEC’s Grand Opening, which coincides with the college’s centennial year.
The $120 million needed for completion of VBEC is funded from the Permanent University Fund, which was established in the Texas Constitution of 1876 as a public endowment contributing to the support of the institutions of the Texas A&M and University of Texas Systems
“Why are we always so proud of our veterinary school? Because we think it is the best one anywhere,” said Chancellor John Sharp. “We have partnered with West Texas A&M, Tarleton State, Prairie View A&M and Texas A&M-Kingsville to expand our veterinary care and services throughout the state. You could never duplicate this place — it is one-of-a-kind, and we think it’s the very best in the world.”
Texas Senator John Cornyn said, “This is a magnificent facility. If you are lucky enough to be accepted as a student here, you will be taught by the best faculty in the world.”
Cornyn then presented Dr. Eleanor M. Green, the Carl B. King dean of veterinary medicine, a resolution from the U.S. Senate praising Texas A&M and congratulating the college on its 100th birthday.
Texas A&M President Michael K. Young said, “The work done here is transformative in many ways. We’ve always had one of the best veterinary medicine faculty to be found anywhere, and now we have a facility to match our international reputation. This is a game changer in veterinary care and education.”
“The new facility represents a tremendous opportunity to bring the latest in teaching technology to the CVM and to Texas A&M University,” said Green. “It is a testament to our high standards and the past 100 years of animal care that the Board of Regents and the administration of Texas A&M University decided to invest in the future of our college, our faculty, and our students. The impact of having state-of-the-art teaching and clinical facilities will be felt not only by those who receive their education here, but also by those who we serve.”
The new complex houses numerous classrooms and teaching-laboratory spaces that will enhance the learning environment for students. The new facilities provide opportunities for innovations in teaching and will nurture collaboration and creativity, officials said. In addition, the new facilities are expected to be a notable factor in recruiting the best faculty, staff, and students.
“We planned this complex for a community of learners and scholars,” Green added. “We wanted to design a building that would not only meet our needs now, but also would be flexible enough to meet our education needs in the next 50 years.”
The CVM will host the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association conference in VBEC in March 2017.
