MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University’s exploration of a School of Veterinary Medicine received a strong showing of support in the 2025 Kentucky legislative session.
Senate Bill 77, which was passed unanimously by both chambers in a bipartisan manner and was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear, continues to provide a path forward for the University to establish a new Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at Murray State.
Said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson: “Countless individuals worked extremely hard over the past two years to further this important initiative. Rep. Mary Beth Imes, Majority Leader Steven Rudy, Sen. Jason Howell, Speaker David Meade, and other legislative leaders, along with Congressman James Comer and Sen. Rand Paul, assisted with the passage of this bill.
“I would also like to thank our Board of Regents, Dean Brian Parr of our Hutson School of Agriculture, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs Jordan Smith, our alumni, friends, supporters, agricultural groups, faculty, staff and students along with many others, all of whom were instrumental with advancing this key initiative to benefit our multi-billion dollar agricultural industry.”
Said Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture Dean Dr. Brian Parr: “This is a very exciting time for the agriculture industry in the Commonwealth of Kentucky! There is no doubt that this effort represents a needed advancement in educational opportunities for our students that will pay immeasurable dividends in the future in terms of employment opportunities, animal health care, and the advancement of the animal agriculture industry in our state. I am very thankful to our legislators who recognized this need and the potential solution offered through establishing a School of Veterinary Medicine here at Murray State University!”
“I am very grateful to our state and federal leaders for recognizing Murray State University’s decades-long desire to assist our animal agricultural industry, particularly our many cattle farmers and others who are in desperate need of additional large animal veterinarians,” said Murray State Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs Jordan Smith. “This is an exciting time for our university, region and state and we are ready to move forward in the establishment of a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 86,300 veterinarians in the United States and this occupation is expected to grow by over 19% by 2031. The BLS also reports a total of 122,800 veterinarian technologists/technicians are working today and the field is expected to grow by 20% by 2031. Eighty of 120 counties across Kentucky have a veterinary shortage or are deemed underserved rural areas with low ratios of practicing veterinarians to livestock.
Murray State holds multiple existing assets on its campus, as well as a new $60 million Veterinary Sciences Building to be constructed. The University’s Hutson School of Agriculture has the largest estimated pre-veterinary medicine/veterinary technology enrollment of any university in Kentucky, and is just one of three programs in Kentucky that is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
A task force has been created for the planning and development of a School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University.