Oklahoma State Veterinary College Renamed
Monday, September 16, 2019
The OSU/A&M Board of Regents approved a proposal to rename OSU’s veterinary center the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
“Proper branding of our College of Veterinary Medicine is important to strengthen its place and reputation among its peer institutions and stakeholders worldwide,” said Dr. Carlos Risco, dean of the veterinary college. “The College of Veterinary Medicine is the umbrella that encompasses the Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, the College of Veterinary Medicine Ranch, the Equine Research Park, Gaylord Center for Excellence in Equine Health, and the Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases. The National Center for Veterinary Parasitology is also housed here in the veterinary complex at OSU.”
Formerly known as the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, it was the only one whose name did not contain veterinary college or veterinary school of the other veterinary colleges in the United States and most international colleges of veterinary medicine.
“This made it difficult for peer institutions, prospective faculty, professional, and graduate students to know who we are and what we do,” added Risco. “All the other veterinary colleges/schools have their name and then under that umbrella falls their teaching hospital, their diagnostic lab if they have one, and their research laboratories. However, the name is veterinary college or veterinary school, which is easy to find when searching online. Consistency is important and when the name changed from College to Center, not everything changed. For example, the bricked courtyard on the northeast side of McElroy Hall has a plaque commemorating its dedication that reads Walk of Honor, College of Veterinary Medicine. In contrast, the sign at the corner of the building reads McElroy Hall Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Again, this is confusing to visitors from main campus and the public.”
With the recent rebranding of Oklahoma State University, Risco felt this was the perfect time to change the college name as the College of Veterinary Medicine strives to strengthen the OSU brand in Oklahoma, across the nation and throughout the world.
MEDIA CONTACT: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu