In a historic moment for both Texas Tech University and the state’s veterinary profession, Governor Greg Abbott joined faculty, officials, and families on Sunday to celebrate the inaugural graduating class of the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. The ceremony, held in Amarillo, marked the first time in over a century that a new veterinary school in Texas has conferred Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees.
Addressing the 61 members of the pioneering class, Governor Abbott emphasized the broader significance of the milestone for Texas and especially its rural communities.
“It means something to be the first,” Abbott told the graduates. “Most of this class will support veterinary needs in rural areas of Texas, where they are needed the most. Texas Tech is contributing to our statewide mission to produce qualified graduates who are ready to meet the challenges ahead and contribute to the needs of Texans.”
Abbott was joined on stage by state and university leaders including Speaker Dustin Burrows, former TTU System Chancellor Robert Duncan, current Chancellor Dr. Tedd Mitchell, Texas Tech President Dr. Lawrence Schovanec, and Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Guy Loneragan. Also in attendance were members of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents and faculty and staff who helped bring the program to life.
A School Built for Rural Impact
The Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine opened in the fall of 2021 with a clear mission: to serve the rural and regional areas of Texas and New Mexico, where access to veterinary care has long been limited. Sunday’s graduation marks a tangible payoff of that mission.
Of the 61 graduates, 95% have committed to serving in areas that face veterinary shortages, and nearly half will be working west of Interstate 35—a region especially hard-hit by the lack of animal healthcare providers.
“Getting these students plugged into a practice that you know has needed a veterinarian for a long time is really rewarding,” said Dr. Britt Conklin, associate dean for clinical programs. “We’re not just mass-producing graduates. We’re meeting real needs in real communities.”
A Different Kind of Veterinary Education
Texas Tech’s program took an unconventional approach to clinical training. Instead of operating a traditional on-campus teaching hospital, students rotated through a network of more than 125 private and public veterinary practice partners across Texas and New Mexico. Starting in May 2024, students completed ten four-week rotations during their final year, gaining hands-on experience in diverse, real-world settings.
This model proved successful. Nearly 70% of graduates were hired by the same clinics where they trained, often securing competitive job offers and entering the workforce fully prepared.
“They’re going to add value in a hurry,” Conklin said. “It’s been exciting to see how good they’re being treated in the offers and the positions they’re earning. Our practice partners were looking for a different type of product, and that’s what we’re producing—especially within rural and regional communities.”
A Vision Realized
The $90 million facility that houses the veterinary school was officially unveiled in April 2022. Its creation represents years of advocacy and planning by Texas Tech leadership, state legislators, and industry stakeholders who saw the growing demand for veterinarians, especially in underserved regions.
In his remarks, Abbott tied the school’s opening and the success of its first graduates to the state’s broader goals.
“Creating a new veterinary school and investing in rural Texas is an important part of the bigger paycheck and better opportunities that our state provides,” he said. “I congratulate you on your perseverance through difficult course work as you carry the mantle of being the first new Texas veterinary class in over a century.”
.jpg)
.jpg)
