Pictured (left to right): Provost Sandefur, Dean Risco, Associate Dean Gilmour, Class of 2022 Reps Cody Blalock and Courtney Longhouse, and Senior Vice President Weaver.

Breaking Ground for the Future

Friday, November 30, 2018

The Center for Veterinary Health Sciences (CVHS) broke ground for a new classroom building on Nov. 29, 2018. The ceremony marked progress toward enhancing the learning of Oklahoma State veterinary students and exceeding their expectations.

“With the addition of this classroom, the CVHS will continue to be the destination for students who want to receive a high quality veterinary medical education as well as those seeking continuing education,” said Dr. Carlos Risco, CVHS dean. “We are grateful for the financial support of President Hargis and Joe Weaver, senior vice president, alumni, and friends who have made early commitments toward this project.

“It is our intention to prominently honor the legacy of Dr. Roger Panciera (’53), professor emeritus and a world-renowned veterinary pathologist, in this new classroom building. Dr. Panciera has touched the lives of generations of veterinary students and influenced the careers of many more,” he continued.

“We thank faculty and staff for their involvement in bringing this building to fruition. In particular, the Planning Committee – Drs. Margi Gilmour, Martin Furr, Shane Lyon, Jerry Ritchey and Chris Ross and Mr. Jim Hargrave, facilities manager. And thank you to the team from long-range planning. We could not have come this far without your help.”

For the official ‘groundbreaking,’ the CVHS turned to man’s best friend. Natty, a bullmastiff owned by Dr. Dianne McFarlane, pulled a cart holding the ceremonial shovels. Provost Sandefur, Senior Vice President Joe Weaver, Dr. Gilmour, and class of 2022 representatives Cody Blalock and Courtney Longhouse joined Dr. Risco as they each put a shovel in the ground and turned it over to mark the beginning of this impactful project.

If you would like to support the future of veterinary medicine through this project or any other, please contact Mrs. Chris Sitz, senior director of development and CVHS team lead with the OSU Foundation, at 405-385-5170 or csitz@osugiving.com.

Below is an edited version of the ceremony. If you would like to see the entire groundbreaking ceremony, you can watch it on OStateTV at CVHS Groundbreaking.