Oklahoma State University President Jim Hess announced Friday the appointment of Dr. Richard Prather, DVM, as dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, effective June 30.
Prather brings four decades of veterinary practice experience and extensive relationships across Oklahoma’s veterinary, agricultural and industry communities as the college prepares to build a transformational $329 million teaching hospital. The facility will replace the current 40-year-old hospital and position OSU among the nation’s premier veterinary programs.
Prather, who earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from OSU in 1986, owned and operated Ellis County Animal Hospital in Shattuck, Oklahoma, with his wife, Dr. Angie Prather, DVM, for more than 30 years, providing mixed animal veterinary services to ranchers, producers and pet owners across northwest Oklahoma. His practice served major cow-calf operations, stocker and feedlot enterprises, equine breeding operations and small animal clients across the region.
Throughout his career, Prather has demonstrated a commitment to veterinary education, hosting more than 60 veterinary students from 10 different universities in his practice and serving on the OSU CVM Admissions Committee.
Statement from Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association about new OSU CVM Dean :
“The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association congratulates Dr. Prather for his appointment as the new Dean for the OSU Veterinary School. Dr. Prather’s experience in private practice and his passion for the future of veterinary medicine are a great combination to lead the OSU Veterinary School. We commend OSU President Hess for selecting Dr. Prather to this important position. OCA stands ready to work with Dr. Prather as he leads the Veterinary School.”
Prather’s extensive practice experience, combined with his service on numerous industry advisory boards and professional leadership roles, positions him to strengthen the connections between the college and practitioners, producers and policymakers across the state. He has previously served as secretary of the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority and as an executive committee member of Production Animal Consultants and district director for the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association.
“Dr. Prather represents the kind of leader we need at this transformational moment for Oklahoma State’s veterinary medicine program,” Dr. Hess said. “He brings deep roots in Oklahoma and a strong understanding of the challenges facing rural veterinary practice. Combined with a strong leadership team, Dr. Prather will make sure our veterinary college serves Oklahoma’s needs while striving for national prominence.”
Prather was named an OVMA Food Animal Practitioner of the Year and has received an FFA Honorary State Farmer Degree. He has also served on food animal advisory boards for Virbac Corporation, Elanco Animal Health and Bayer Animal Health, bringing practitioner perspectives to industry partners developing products and services for working veterinarians.
“This is a profound honor and a tremendous responsibility,” said Prather, who will serve as the CVM’s 11th full-time dean. “The people of Oklahoma have made a generational investment in veterinary medicine through a new teaching hospital. My commitment is to empower our talented faculty, staff and students to ensure we honor that investment by training veterinarians who will serve communities across Oklahoma. As someone who has practiced in rural Oklahoma for four decades, I’ve seen the critical role veterinary medicine plays in protecting our food supply, supporting our agricultural producers and strengthening rural economies.
“This is a pivotal time for rural Oklahoma, and I will strive to bring all the resources of our land-grant university’s purpose to bear to connect the college with the communities it serves. I look forward to building partnerships that connect the college’s expertise with the communities that depend on us.”
State leaders voiced their support for Prather’s appointment and reaffirmed the critical connection between the mission of OSU veterinary medicine and rural livelihoods, as well as the livestock and agricultural stakeholders.
“The Oklahoma Legislature’s investment in veterinary medicine represents a generational commitment to our state’s agricultural economy and the future of animal health,” said Oklahoma Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert, an OSU alumnus. “Dr. Prather understands the critical role veterinary medicine plays in rural Oklahoma communities. His appointment ensures that as we build this world-class facility, we remain focused on training veterinarians who will serve all of Oklahoma, especially our rural areas where the need is greatest.”
“Veterinary medicine is absolutely critical to Oklahoma’s agricultural economy and the future of our state,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, an OSU alumna who served on the search committee. “Dr. Prather understands the vital connection between veterinary medicine and agriculture because he’s lived it for four decades serving Oklahoma’s livestock producers.
“His deep relationships across our state’s agricultural community and his proven leadership through the Veterinary Medicine Authority make him the right person to lead the college at this pivotal time. Oklahoma’s investment in this new teaching hospital recognizes that a strong veterinary program is essential infrastructure for our agricultural sector and rural communities.”
Prather’s immediate priorities will include engaging in the design and planning of the new teaching hospital, strengthening relationships with referring veterinarians and clinical service clients and working with college stakeholders to identify strategic priorities that position the program for long-term excellence.
