Construction has formerly started on Rowan University’s Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine which will be located on Rowan’s West Campus in Harrison Township, next to Route 55.
Announced almost a year ago, the Shreiber Veterinary School will become the first veterinary school in New Jersey, and only the 2nd Veterinary School in the country to offer three veterinary degrees; D.V.M., D.O., and M.D.
In 2022, the State of New Jersey approve $75 million towards the initial funding. A $30 million gift from Gerald Shreiber (founder of J&J Snack Foods) is to establish scholarships to help keep the costs of a veterinary school education affordable for students in New Jersey.
Specifically the veterinary school will be located in a 9.5 acre portion of a 255 acre property on Mullica Hill Rd (rt 322) across from the Inspira medical hospital, and bordered by Rt 55.
Last year, renderings of the all new construction University school building were made available, and a ceremonial ground breaking took place… but I’m not sure the public had a full understanding where the new veterinary school was being developed in the large Rowan “West Campus” properties until now.
Drone imagery from this past weekend shows the wall foundations for the building are in place, giving a clear depiction of the building’s placement in the large lot.
The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine is being developed along the edge of Route 55, in front of the existing Rowan water tower. I would expect that the new school building would be visible from Rt 55.
it appears that parking areas are already being laid-out based on the initial placement of gravel.
Rowan Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine
Last year on April 28th Rowan University officials including Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand, local and State officials, Mr. Shreiber and even New Jersey State governor Phil Murphy were on hand for the official announcement and ground breaking for the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University.
Founding Dean of Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine Matthew Edson comments on the Veterinarian shortage in New Jersey, as well as the economic challenges of the career path… which are factors for developing the new Veterinary School:
Here in New Jersey we have an unprecedented shortage of Veterinary professionals. Right now it’s very difficult, especially for folks with large animals that aren’t horses… goats, sheep and alpaca to even find care for those animals.
New Jersey has no school of veterinary medicine so every student that applies has to apply out of state… we do our best to keep those costs low but certainly not an inexpensive thing to become a veterinarian and that really dictates what these students can do after they graduate.
Some folks might want to be a horse vet or a cow vet, but if that pays half of what it pays to be a small animal veterinarian they might change their career plans. So if we can decrease their costs, we really change what they do when they come out of school I’m honored to give the gifts because animals re my passion
Dean of Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine Matthew Edson – YouTube
The 108,000-square-foot building will include classrooms, educational and diagnostic laboratories, a teaching hospital and offices.
Rowan expects the first class to be admitted in 2025, with a targeted initial class size of 60-75 students.
Rowan will be one of only two universities in the nation to offer three medical degrees. Currently there are only 33 veterinary schools in the United states, and only five on the East Coast.
A $30 million gift from a South Jersey businessperson is earmarked towards helping keep the costs of a veterinary school education affordable for students in New Jersey.
Gerald Shreiber purchased a bankrupt pretzel company in 1971, and turned it into a snack food powerhouse based in Pennsauken NJ.
Today J&J Snack Foods company brands include Superpretzel, Icee, Luigi’s Real Italian Ice and Minute Maid juices.
Mr. Shreiber has been an animal lover his entire life, and has made gifts to several charities which have led to programs being started, such as at the Pet Therapy program at Children’s Hospital Philadelphia.
“I’m honored to give this gift. Animals are my passion, so I couldn’t think of a better way to give something back to make a positive impact on their lives,” Shreiber said about the Rowan Veterinary School.
Governor Murphy addressed the crowd and said “Just think about it…there’s going to be a very good chance that not too far in the future, graduates of Rowan University will be providing medical care to every member of a family living in New Jersey,”
In 2022, Murphy approved $75 million in funding to help support the construction of the veterinary school’s primary academic and clinical facilities.
Links and Location
Rowan University Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine
Zee Road
Harrison Township