The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University officially welcomed its second cohort of aspiring veterinarians on August 27, marking the beginning of their doctoral journeys with a traditional stethoscope presentation.
Surrounded by university administrators, faculty, family members, and peers, 90 new students received their Littman stethoscopes—generously donated by Nutramax Laboratories and accompanied by personal notes of encouragement from practicing veterinarians and loved ones.
As New Jersey’s first and only veterinary school, the incoming class demonstrates a strong local commitment, with 50 students hailing from 15 of the state’s 21 counties.
During the ceremony, Founding Dean Matthew Edson acknowledged the rigorous nature of the program while reassuring students of the robust community standing behind them.
“It’s veterinary school. It’s designed to be hard. It’s designed to prepare you for a difficult career. But you have a network of people here to help you,” Dean Matthew Edson shared, highlighting the state’s nearly 4,000 supportive veterinarians.
Stephanie Fisher, president of Rowan’s Student American Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the school’s inaugural class, offered words of reassurance to the new students:
- Shared Experience: Fisher reminded the cohort that the inaugural class understands the nerves and uncertainties of starting the program.
- Peer Support: She emphasized that the incoming students have a dedicated community and an entire class right above them cheering them on.
Founded following a $30 million scholarship gift from the late philanthropist and businessman Gerry Shreiber, the school champions the One Health concept—a global framework recognizing the deep interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
With this milestone, Rowan University solidifies its unique position in higher education as one of only two institutions nationwide to simultaneously offer M.D., D.O., and DVM medical programs, seamlessly uniting human and veterinary medicine under one academic umbrella.
