Oklahoma State University names new dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine

Veteran practitioner and state leader Dr. Richard Prather, DVM, to guide college through historic hospital construction  

(STILLWATER, Okla., April 24, 2026) — 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.

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.

 

Oklahoma State University is a premier land-grant university that prepares students for success. Through teaching, research and Extension, OSU engages communities and empowers servant-leaders to meet society’s most pressing challenges. OSU is the largest university system in Oklahoma and has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 27,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 127 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 300,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world.

About the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine
The Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine provides quality educational opportunities to prepare graduates for varied careers within the veterinary profession, offers cutting-edge medical, surgical and diagnostic laboratory services, conducts excellent research in animal and human health, and provides continuing education programs for practicing veterinarians. The college enrolls approximately 425 veterinary students and 58 graduate students and employs 91 faculty members and 202 staff. The college holds full accreditation from the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. For more information, visit vetmed.okstate.edu.