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A close friend of the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine has arranged an extraordinary bequest to Oregon State University. The planned gift represents the anonymous donor\u2019s entire estate, valued at more than $6 million.<\/p>\nA close friend of the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine has arranged an extraordinary bequest to Oregon State University. The planned gift represents the anonymous donor\u2019s entire estate, valued at more than $6 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are incredibly grateful for the trust that a gift like this demonstrates,\u201d says Susan Tornquist, Lois Bates Acheson Dean. \u201cWe feel a great sense of responsibility to live up to that sense of confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gift will help college scale up, pursue cutting-edge work <\/strong><\/p>\n The planned bequest will create an endowed fund for the college, generating a perpetual, dependable stream of income to be used at the dean\u2019s discretion. Such a fund gives leaders the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they arise and meet needs as circumstances change.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my years as dean, we\u2019ve seen a fair number of changes not in our basic goals but in new developments in veterinary medicine and the services we provide,\u201d Tornquist says. \u201cFor example, in our new building expansion we\u2019re gaining a linear accelerator, which will allow us to provide radiation oncology for cancer patients. Ten years ago, we wouldn\u2019t have anticipated that we\u2019d be an oncology center.\u201d<\/p>\n OSU\u2019s work with veterinary oncology is just one example of research that will ultimately benefit human medicine as well as improve treatment for animals. Faculty and students currently are working on such health issues as tuberculosis, HIV, respiratory diseases, neurological diseases and more.<\/p>\n The connection to human health is especially important to the anonymous donor. \u201cInitially my commitment to the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine was related to advancing the health of companion animals and to educating future generations of veterinarians,\u201d the donor says. \u201cToday my commitment is broader and reflects my intentions to help advance the mission of health at Oregon State.<\/p>\n \u201cThis university has tremendous strengths and unique capabilities in the areas of human and animal health,\u201d the donor continues. \u201cVeterinary medicine plays a key role in how OSU defines itself in health sciences and helps set us apart from other universities.\u201d<\/p>\n Donor legacy creates a healthier future<\/strong><\/p>\n Looking ahead, the college will continue to add specialists. For example, OSU recently hired its first criticalist, who works with the very sickest patients. Future developments are possible in neurology, dermatology, and the prevention and treatment of chronic pain.<\/p>\n \u201cWe take our mission very seriously, and this planned gift is an enormous investment in the future,\u201d Tornquist says.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are hard moments in veterinary medicine, a lot of stresses. There are hard decisions to make when we\u2019re trying to determine the best course of action. \u00a0To have this wonderful expression of support is incredibly meaningful for all of us. It\u2019s a great message to students. Yes, you\u2019re going to be working long hours but what you\u2019re doing is really important and people deeply appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n