Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
| Established | 1879 |
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Parent institution
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Iowa State University |
| Dean | Lisa K. Nolan |
| Location | Ames, Iowa |
| Colors | Cardinal and Gold |
| Website | vetmed |
Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine was established in 1879, and is the oldest veterinary college in the United States. Iowa State has graduated 6,400 veterinarians and is one of the largest veterinary research facilities in the nation.
Officially formed in 1879, Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine can trace its history back to the school's founding in 1858, when state legislator's specified that veterinary studies would be included in the subjects of instruction.Seniors of ISU's first graduating class in 1872, received instruction in veterinary science, but it was not until 1879 that degrees were offered in that subject. The ISU veterinary school was the first state veterinary college in the United States. Other private veterinary colleges all closed by the 1920s, leaving ISU as the oldest veterinary college still in operation in the United States.
Originally, the degree programs offered were only two-year programs, but with expanded coursework, the program was extended to three years in 1887 and to four years by 1903 (making Iowa State the nation’s first four-year veterinary school).
In 1885, veterinary classes were held in the "Sanitary Building," which was located where the current ISU Memorial Union now stands. In 1893 the veterinary department was moved to the "Old Agricultural Hall" or "Botany Hall", today known as Catt Hall.
By 1912, overcrowding became an issue, with state appropriation, the "Vet Quadrangle" (currently known as Lagomarcino Hall) was built on the north side of campus. The Quadrangle consisted of four buildings connected by corridors arranged around the central courtyard. A fifth building was than constructed further north and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory was completed in 1956.
As the college continued to grow, the faculty became dissatisfied with the old name for the college, the "Division of Veterinary Medicine". In a 1933 report, the Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Charles Henry Stange commented:
"the advisability of changing the Division of Veterinary Medicine to "College of Veterinary Medicine" has been discussed for years.... Apparently we have a "College of Veterinary Medicine" at Iowa State in fact but not in name...It is our earnest hope that this correction be made at an early date."
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