Rowan University held a historic stethoscope ceremony Thursday, welcoming the inaugural group of students to New Jersey’s first school for veterinary medicine.
Representing 16 states – from New York to Washington – the group of 75 co-eds comprising the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine class of 2029 features 40 Garden State residents, mostly women.
After breaking ground two years ago, the school arrives amid a growing need for veterinarians nationwide.
According to Mars Veterinary Health, expanding companion animal health care needs will necessitate up to 55,000 additional practitioners in the U.S. by 2030. And even with the new grads expected over the next decade, Mars said a shortage of up to 24,000 companion-animal vets will likely still persist by that 2030 mark.
At SVM, incoming Garden State students also received a surprise bonus in addition to the Littman stethoscopes presented courtesy of Nutramax Laboratories. Each will receive a $2,000 scholarship from Gerry and Melanie Shreiber, whose name the school bears. Both were also on hand for the Aug. 28 ceremony.
The couple helped found SVM with a $30 million gift. Beyond an animal lover and philanthropist, Gerry Shreiber is also chairman emeritus of Mount Laurel-based J&J Snack Foods Corp. — home to brands including Super Pretzel, ICEE, Dippin’ Dots and others.
Dr. Michael Bailey, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, delivered the keynote address to the incoming class. “Each of you aspires to serve, and today marks the beginning of that service,” he said. “Always do good – by your patients, your clients, and all creatures great and small.”
Getting here
Speaking during the ceremony, Rowan President Ali Houshmand noted he counted 62 women sitting in the incoming class, cheering “woman power!” after.
He detailed the start of SVM, born out of a conversation with Shreiber, adding “Dreams do come true.”
SVM’s build-out also drew support from the state, with Gov. Phil Murphy approving $75 million in funding for the project in 2021. The new building on Rowan’s West Campus features classrooms, research facilities, educational and diagnostic laboratories, a teaching hospital along with offices.
Founding Dean Dr. Matthew Edson described Gerry Shreiber as “an animal lover to the core,” adding SVM was “so happy” to have him as its naming donor.
Classes start Sept. 2. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school will take place Oct. 3.
SVM’s debut makes Rowan one of two institutions in the U.S. with programs offering D.V.M., M.D., and D.O. medical degrees, according to the school.
