Clemson University breaks ground on veterinary college facility
Clemson University has broken ground in Pendleton, South Carolina, on the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine, which will be home to the only college of veterinary medicine in the state.
The complex is being built across the street from Clemson University’s Equine Center in Pendleton. The college will train veterinarians to address a critical shortage in the state. It will consist of several buildings designed to provide students with spaces for collaboration, hands-on learning and personal growth.
The Clinical Teaching Building will house several labs and serve as the home for the Peeler College of Veterinary Medicine Community Clinic, where the public can access veterinary care.
The Research Building will house faculty and graduate student offices, as well as research labs dedicated to advancing veterinary science.
The Ambulatory Service Building will have a significant impact on the Upstate region, providing fourth-year students with vital clinical rotation experience on area farms as mobile veterinarians.
The Equine Teaching Building will offer students a dedicated space to practice and learn about equine health in a safe and controlled environment.
The Farm Animal Teaching Building will include specialized spaces essential for training students in farm animal care.
A third of South Carolina counties have fewer than five veterinarians, and 48% of the state’s counties have fewer than 10 veterinarians. Qualified candidates are applying to veterinary colleges, but 500 to 1,000 are not admitted because of a capacity shortage at existing colleges.
The veterinary college is expected to welcome its first class of 80 students in fall 2026. It has been named for Harvey S. Peeler Jr., a 1970 Clemson graduate who has served as a senator in the South Carolina General Assembly since 1980.
