Architectural Team, SHW Group/Cannon Design, Selected for CVM Construction Project

COLLEGE STATION, TX - Dr. Eleanor Green, Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine, announced the selection of SHW Group/Cannon Design as the architectural team leading the design project for the construction of a new Veterinary Medical Education Building and Small Animal Hospital Expansion for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). This team was selected from a large number of architectural firms expressing interest in the project, after many months of visits with firms of interest, and after hours of formal interviews.

"This group captured our attention immediately," said Green. "Not only did they emit a quality of competence, creativity, and innovation, they seemed to understand our vision and the importance of this project to our future.  They recognized the significance of this once-in-a-lifetime construction project and their enthusiasm about our project was palpable."

"We would not have arrived at this pivotal point without the support of many," said Green.  "The leadership of our facilities director, Sam Wigington, and his team, has been notable.  We are enormously grateful for the essential support of Chancellor John Sharp, President R. Bowen Loftin, Texas A&M Facilities Planning and Construction, and all of the others involved in this process."

Chancellor Sharp noted that Texas A&M's CVM is the only college of veterinary medicine in the State of Texas, and only one of 28 in the United States.  "Texas A&M's vet school exists to serve the citizens of Texas. The $120 million in Permanent University Funds (PUF) used for this project will provide Texans with the very best facility of its kind for years to come," Sharp said.

"Our College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2016," said President Loftin. "Beginning a new century with a new facility on our campus will further strengthen our commitment to teaching, research and service for the next hundred years."

Green replied, when the architecture firm asked for a brief description of the vision, "We want people to look at this facility and say, 'Wow! Texas A&M is the best; this is the best college of veterinary medicine.' We want a building that emits energy, innovation, and progressiveness, one that also says Texas."

"What we envision is a building that will immediately foster new and innovative teaching technologies and will be adaptable to innovations that emerge for the next 100 years," said Green. "We will create a collaborative learning environment, one that encourages interactions among students, faculty, and staff. Constructing a building that embodies our vision and our values is a tremendous opportunity, and we have already been looking across the country to see the latest trends in educational technology and sustainability and bringing the best ideas back to Texas A&M."

About SHW/Cannon Design

SHW Group/Cannon Design is comprised of two separate components, SHW Group and Cannon Design. They have teamed up specifically for this project due to its complex components of classrooms, laboratories, office space, new construction, expansion, and renovation of existing space.

SHW Group was founded in 1945 and is nationally and internationally recognized for its work on educational facilities. SHW Group is dedicated to designing environments that inspire, support, and promote the discovery and exchange of knowledge through commitment to learning, stewardship, and craft. Our primary contact with SHW Group is Mr. Don Hensley out of the Dallas office. The website is http://www.shwgroup.com/

Cannon Design is an "Ideas Based Practice," bringing extensive experience in not only educational design, but also design of healthcare, science & technology, sports & recreation, commercial, and government facilities. Cannon Design strives to create environments that are a thoughtful response to the program mission, physical setting and functional purpose, reflecting the spirit and personality of each owner. Our primary contact for Cannon Design is Mark Whiteley out of their San Francisco office. The website is http://cannondesign.com/

About the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

From its early beginning in 1916, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences served the livestock industry in the State of Texas. Dr. Mark Francis, the first dean of the college, is credited with proving that the tick was responsible for Texas Cattle Fever - a disease that had plagued Texas cattle ranchers since the late 1700s. Since that time, the CVM has grown to one of the largest colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, and is home to internationally known faculty. Through commitment to teaching, research, and service, CVM faculty, staff, and students are making discoveries today that impact the health of humans and animals worldwide.

Contact Information:
Angela G. Clendenin
Director, Communications & Public Relations
Ofc - (979) 862-2675
Cell - (979) 739-5718