The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has received $1,071,000 in direct federal funding for its new School of Veterinary Medicine.
The investment came from the fiscal year 2024 funding package passed by the United States Senate in March, which was later signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Funding for the veterinary school was requested by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, both representing Maryland.
The financial contribution supports UMES in its effort to establish a new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. If successful, the school would be the second HBCU in the country and the first university in Maryland to offer such a program.
“This funding continues the strong momentum we are experiencing as we continue to take the steps necessary to achieve accreditation for this historic program,” said UMES President Heidi M. Anderson. “It’s an investment by the federal government in our endeavor, and we are deeply grateful to Senators Cardin and Van Hollen for their crucial support in making this happen. Their efforts will benefit UMES and the communities we serve with a School of Veterinary Medicine.”
The investment to UMES was part of $40 million in federal funds directly for Maryland within the legislation.
“Investing in the education of Maryland’s future veterinarians will help protect our agricultural economy and improve access to veterinary care,” Sen. Van Hollen said. “These funds will make UMES a regional pioneer, providing top-notch education in veterinary medicine and creating opportunity for students to enter an understaffed but critical field.”
The establishment of UMES’s new program will prepare students for careers as pet and agricultural veterinarians and support the industry’s growing demand.
“The Eastern Shore is a powerhouse for agriculture in Maryland. Establishing a program at one of the region’s premier institutions will provide more opportunities for young people to learn the tools of the trade in their own backyard,” Sen. Cardin said. “With the proven track record of UMES student and professor success stories, we know this program will provide a valuable pipeline to an industry that is in critical need of well-trained professionals.”
