Veterinary college receives a large private donation

A $16.5 million donation has been made to the Harvey S. Peeler College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Clemson University in South Carolina. The funds provided by Don Quattlebaum represent the largest private donation ever received for the CVM, which plans to welcome its first students in fall 2026.

“Don Quattlebaum’s gift is an investment in the future of animal and human health in South Carolina. It will allow us to train the next generation of veterinary clinicians and scientists to enhance the human animal bond for the benefit of our state and beyond,” Steven Marks, BVSc, MS, MRCVS, DACVIM, founding dean of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr CVM, said in a news release.¹

Quattlebaum is a third generation Clemson graduate and member of the Class of 1976. He is owner of White House Farms, which produces rice in Georgetown County, South Carolina.²

“Clemson’s grown a lot since I graduated in ’76 and certainly a huge amount since my father graduated in ’34 and my grandfather graduated [in 1909]. Even though it’s changed…I feel the basic mission and the feel of the place has not changed,” Quattlebaum said, while addressing guests at a Clemson celebration event in recognition of his donation.

Earlier this year, the Harvey S. Peeler Jr CVM received a Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, which moved it forward in the accreditation process. The action also allowed the university to open its application window for prospective veterinary students. Once the CVM opens to students, it will be the first in South Carolina to provide the opportunity for individuals to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.³

Quattlebaum’s donated funds will support the CVM’s campus hub, which will house modern classroom spaces, conference rooms, a library and a bookstore. This centralized facility, currently under construction, is newly named the Quattlebaum Hub in the donor's honor.

Furthermore, an outdoor space on the campus has been named for Quattlebaum's late son. The Andy Quattlebaum Pavilion is designed as a place for students to relax, study and enjoy the outdoors.¹ Andy Quattlebaum loved animals and the outdoors, and was a student at Clemson at the time of his death.⁴

The historic donation to the CVM will also help it draw “top-tier faculty members” through the Don and Hayden Quattlebaum Endowed Professorship—which is also named for the donor's late wife—as well as an unrestricted endowment that the CVM can use to address its priority needs, according to the release.¹

“Don’s gift represents an investment in the future of South Carolina. Their family’s legacy is significant and will continue to make a difference in the lives of future Tigers for generation to come,” Jim Clements, president of Clemson University, said in the release.¹

Along with the Andy Quattlebaum and Blackwell Family Foundation, Quattlebaum has supported Clemson through philanthropy for a long time, according to the university. This includes support for student experiences that focus on wellness and natural resources protection as well as the Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center on the university’s main campus.¹

Quattlebaum’s philanthropic efforts have extended to other institutions as well. These include Andy’s Cottage at the Belle W. Baruch Institute in Georgetown, South Carolina; and the establishment of the Andy Quattlebaum Distinguished Chair in Infectious Disease Research at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Raliegh.^1,4

References

1. Schneider B. Don Quattlebaum donates $16.5 million to support the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. college of Veterinary Medicine. News release. Clemson University. November 21, 2025. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://news.clemson.edu/don-quattlebaum-donates-16-5-million-to-support-the-harvey-s-peeler-jr-college-of-veterinary-medicine/
2. White House Farms—growing and honoring a rice legacy. White House Farms. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://whitehousefarms.com/pages/about
3. Crossley KC. Clemson University opens application window for its first veterinary students. dvm360. October 10, 2025. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/clemson-university-opens-application-window-for-its-first-veterinary-students
4. Volstad S. With new distinguished chair, family’s heartfelt gift creates lasting impact. North Carolina State University. August 16, 2021. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://news.cvm.ncsu.edu/with-new-distinguished-chair-familys-heartfelt-gift-creates-lasting-impact/