Rowan University officially celebrated the opening of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, marking a historic milestone as New Jersey’s first and only veterinary school. The “new leash on learning” was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Rowan’s West Campus, drawing nearly 400 special guests, supporters, and students on Friday.
The school positions Rowan as one of only two public universities nationwide to grant D.V.M., D.O., and M.D. degrees, furthering its status as one of the fastest-growing public research universities in the Northeast.
A landmark investment in animal and human health
A landmark investment in animal and human healthThe school’s development was fueled by significant commitment, including $75 million approved by the state Legislature in 2021 for the construction of its primary academic and clinical facility.
The institution is named after business leader and longtime Rowan supporter Gerald Shreiber, who pledged $30 million to support the school and student scholarships. Shreiber, whose passion is animal welfare, is one of only three benefactors in the U.S. to have a veterinary school named in his honor.
“We are immensely proud to train tomorrow’s professionals to improve animal, human and environmental health,” Rowan President Ali Houshmand said.
Founding Dean Matthew Edson, celebrated the event, noting the impact for aspiring veterinarians in the state. “It’s always been a dream of ours to go to school in our home states,” he said. “We’re really happy to be here to provide that for future generations.”
New Jersey legislators, including State Senator Troy Singleton and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, underscored the school’s long-term value, with Greenwald noting, “This becomes decades and generations of return on this investment.”
Innovative curriculum and community engagement
The new facility supports the school’s innovative curriculum, which is built on the “One Health Concept”—the idea that there is “one medicine” supporting “one health,” advancing the well-being of both animals and humans.
Students from the inaugural class are already immersed in practical training, with clinical experience beginning early through rotations at over 70 partnerships, including wildlife refuges, farms, zoos, and animal shelters. This hands-on approach is designed to ensure graduates are job-ready from day one.
Beyond academics, the Shreiber School has established a strong community mission, operating a Large Animal Field Service for horses and cows, and a Shelter Medicine & Community Engagement Mobile Unit for small animals. The mobile unit delivers free services, including spay-and-neuter services in underserved areas.
The new facility’s teaching hospital is already offering primary care for pets, with emergency and specialty services planned for the near future. The school also features advanced programs, including an accelerated D.V.M./MBA and various dual graduate degrees, furthering Rowan’s interdisciplinary research goals.
“Being a good neighbor is part of our mission,” Edson said, emphasizing the goal for students to carry these service traditions into their careers.
