Texas Tech Chancellor Robert Duncan met with congressman Mac Thornberry and other on VIP’s in Amarillo Tuesday to discuss plans for a Tech veterinarian school.
Texas Tech recently announced plans for a school in Canyon, near Amarillo.
Duncan said, “It’s never been an idea. We’ve always approached it as a vision.”
Duncan said, “We’ve visited with other vet schools. We’ve worked with negotiating with getting consultants onboard. We’ve been working on our financial plan, As well as developing plans for an appropriation request in 2017.”
The Amarillo area is the nation’s beef capital for food animal production, home of the American Quarter Horse Association, several feed yards, and many large animals.
Thornberry said, “Beef is the biggest aspect of our economy in this region. It’s very, very important, and this interest in animal health is only a good thing.”
He said the work and growth that goes on at Texas Tech is not only good for the university, but also for Texas and the entire country.
The Chairman of the TTUHSC community advisory board, Al Cunningham, said, “This will be one of the only veterinary schools that is tied in with a medical school. What we mean by that is we’ve got a pharmacy school also. Pharmaceuticals and animals fit hand in hand. What a great situation we have with all of those put together on one campus.”
Cunningham said there was an effort to get local and industrial funding.
He also said funding requests would be presented to congress, saying he feels really good about Texas Tech’s prospects in the legislature this year.
