OSU Launches $329 Million Veterinary Teaching Hospital to Secure Oklahoma’s Agricultural Future

Stillwater,OK/KC Shepard

Oklahoma Farm Report

OSU Celebrates Historic Investment in Veterinary Medicine

Oklahoma State University (OSU) is making history with a $329 million investment in a state-of-the-art Veterinary Teaching Hospital, a project that promises to transform veterinary education and safeguard Oklahoma’s agricultural economy. The announcement drew legislators, veterinarians, alumni, and OSU supporters to campus for a day of celebration.

The moment was especially meaningful for OSU President Dr. Jim Hess, who marked exactly 50 years since arriving on campus as a freshman in 1975. For Hess, this project represents the pinnacle of decades-long advocacy for veterinary medicine, research excellence, and agricultural sustainability.

Strengthening Oklahoma’s Food Supply Through Veterinary Innovation

Dr. Hess emphasized that the new facility is far more than a building — it’s a strategic investment in Oklahoma’s food security and rural economy. “Pork, chicken, and beef are not produced in the back of the Walmart store,” Hess noted, highlighting the vital role veterinary medicine plays in ensuring safe and sustainable food production.

As a land-grant university, OSU is committed to solving real-world problems through research, extension, and education. The veterinary program’s work in protecting livestock health directly impacts Oklahoma’s position as a leader in agriculture, benefiting farmers, ranchers, and consumers across the state.

A Premier Facility with a Gateway Presence

Construction of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital is slated to begin in the spring, with the location narrowed down to two prime spots. Dr. Hess expressed a preference for a high-visibility “gateway facility” that would serve as a proud symbol for the university. “We want everyone driving by to say, ‘Man, are we proud of Oklahoma State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine!’”

Once completed in the next few years, the facility will stand as one of OSU’s most historic achievements in generations.

Recruiting Top Veterinary Talent to Oklahoma

Thanks to recurring appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature, the College of Veterinary Medicine will be able to hire highly specialized clinicians, making the new hospital a referral destination for complex veterinary cases from across the state and beyond. This will not only enhance the quality of veterinary care in Oklahoma but also position OSU as a national leader in advanced animal health services.

Dr. Hess, whose journey began in 1975 shoveling manure for OSU’s barn crew, reflected on the full-circle moment of now leading one of the university’s most ambitious projects. “It’s what’s inside that matters,” he said, underscoring the importance of expertise, compassion, and service that will define the new facility for decades to come.