Alumnus’ $50 million contribution supports college’s expansion plans.

On Jan. 17, 2018 Oregon State University was granted $50 million to the College of Veterinary Medicine. The transformative commitment from a donor to the college will dramatically increase the college’s ability to provide lifesaving clinical care, professional education for future veterinarians and research that is critical to animal and human health.

The university will name its College of Veterinary Medicine in recognition of the donor who made the historic gift, according to Molly Brown, assistant vice president of communications at OSU. The donor, Dr. Gary R. Carlson an OSU alumnus now works as a dermatologist in southern California.

“His $50 million gift will support the College of Veterinary Medicine at OSU, allowing an expansion of the small animal hospital and creating a permanent endowment to recruit and retain top faculty and advance other strategic priorities for the college,” Brown said in an email.

According to Vice President of University Relations and Marketing Steve Clark, the commitment of $50 million Carlson made will be received over a mutually agreed upon timeline in order for the college to achieve its goals, which include expanding the small animal hospital.

“The expansion plans for the teaching hospital call for the addition of approximately 6,600 square feet to what is presently a 6,000 square-foot facility,” Clark said in an email. “The hospital opened 11 1/2 years ago and daily serves visits of ill cats and dogs, and hospitalized animals.”

Additionally, the project will support the remodeling of the college’s main facility, Magruder Hall. This will allow the college to support an annual increase of 16 students per classroom, from 56 to 72, according to OSU’s News and Research Communication article “Alumnus’ generosity to transform veterinary college at Oregon State”.

According to Brown, Carlson’s donation was motivated by his love for animals.