Oregon State University has announced a $21 million bequest from the estate of Lois Bates Acheson, a 1937 OSU graduate, to support its growing College of Veterinary Medicine.

Acheson's gift — the second-largest donation in the university's history — will boost the college's endowment and provide long-term supplemental funding for teaching, research, facilities, and equipment. Although proceeds from the estate will be held in the endowment, the gift will enable college officials to move forward with a significant expansion of the large-animal clinic within the veterinary teaching hospital. The proposed expansion includes a lameness evaluation arena, larger imaging space, a free-standing isolation ward, faculty offices, research laboratories, and an intensive-care unit designed to meet the needs of mares with foals.

"Mrs. Acheson's generous support of the College of Veterinary Medicine in her lifetime and through her estate is an unprecedented contribution that will help us build a top-ranked veterinary medicine program," said OSU president Ed Ray. "Oregon State University is incredibly grateful for her generosity, and we are dedicated to providing the quality training, veterinary care and research that her gift is meant to foster."