Utah State University Names Thomas and Patricia Willis Veterinary Medical Education Building

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University has announced the naming of the Thomas and Patricia Willis Veterinary Medical Education Building, recognizing the generosity and vision of Thomas and Patricia Willis. The naming honors a $5 million gift from the Willis family, including an endowment to support the long-term success of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

A native of northern Utah and a graduate of Utah State University with degrees in agricultural economics and business administration, Tom Willis is president and CEO of Conestoga Energy Holdings, a leading renewable fuels and agribusiness company based in Kansas. Tom and Patty Willis both grew up on cattle ranches, and their shared agricultural background helped inspire their investment in veterinary education and workforce development.

The state-of-the-art facility will serve as the central hub for the College of Veterinary Medicine, providing modern classrooms, laboratories and clinical training spaces designed to support hands-on learning, research and collaboration.

“Utah State has something truly unique with its veterinary medicine program,” Tom said. “Growing up on a cattle and sheep ranch in Bear Lake and now raising cattle in Kansas, veterinary medicine has always been important to our family. We saw this as an opportunity to invest in future generations — to help address the shortage of veterinarians while supporting one of the finest veterinary programs in the country. The education and connections I gained at Utah State changed my life, and Patty and I wanted to give back in a way that would create lasting impact for Utah, for agriculture and for society.”

The gift reflects the Willis family’s enduring connection to Utah State, agriculture and rural communities.

“Tom and Patty Willis are not only extraordinary supporters of Utah State University, but true friends to so many across the Aggie community,” said Matt White, vice president for advancement and president of the USU Foundation. “Their deep roots in agriculture, their lifelong connection to animals and rural communities, and their belief in the power of education made this an especially meaningful investment. Their generosity will strengthen veterinary medicine at Utah State for generations to come.”

The building plays a critical role in addressing the growing demand for veterinarians — particularly in rural communities, where access to large-animal care remains a significant challenge. Utah’s agricultural industry contributes an estimated $1.82 billion to the state’s economy, underscoring the importance of expanding veterinary training within the state.

With the addition of this facility and the continued growth of its four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, Utah State plans to expand enrollment to as many as 80 students per class, helping build a sustainable veterinary workforce for Utah and beyond.

“This moment represents the realization of a vision first imagined at Utah State more than a century ago,” said USU President Brad L. Mortensen. “Tom and Patty Willis’ generosity will help ensure that future generations of veterinarians are educated here in Utah to serve communities across our state and throughout the Intermountain West.”

The College of Veterinary Medicine recently marked a historic milestone with enrollment in August 2025 of its first class of students in the four-year DVM degree program — a significant step forward in meeting regional workforce needs and advancing animal and public health.

“This extraordinary investment will directly impact the future of veterinary medicine in Utah and throughout the region,” said Dirk Vanderwall, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “The Willis family’s support will help us educate highly skilled veterinarians, expand hands-on learning opportunities, and continue building a program that serves the needs of agriculture, animal health, and rural communities.”

Through investments like this, Utah State continues to expand access to high-quality education while developing solutions to meet the needs of communities across the state.

The Thomas and Patricia Willis Veterinary Medical Education Building stands as a lasting tribute to the Willis family’s commitment to education, agriculture, student success and the future of veterinary medicine in Utah and the Intermountain West.