Contact: Linda Chadderdon, Veterinary Medicine, (517) 355-5165, chadderd@cvm.msu.edu; or Tom Oswald, University Relations, (517) 355-2281, oswald@msu.edu

1/11/2005

Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held this week for a new addition to the Michigan State University Veterinary Clinical Center that will provide critical care for horses and other large animals.

Groundbreaking for the Matilda R. Wilson Pegasus Critical Care Center will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13.

The event will begin in the McPhail Center, which is located near the site of the new addition. After a brief ceremony, the ceremonial breaking of ground will be held outside.

Among those on hand for the event will be MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Lonnie King.

Once completed, the center will allow the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine to provide critical care to horses and other large animals with infectious diseases, as well as teaching and research opportunities for faculty and students in an approximately 9,000-square-foot facility.

The center is named in honor of Matilda R. Wilson, a former member of the MSU Board of Trustees whose foundation donated $5 million to the center. Pegasus was the name of one of her favorite harness ponies.

The McPhail Center is located immediately south of the Veterinary Clinical Center, near the intersection of Wilson Road and Bogue Street.