University of Missouri

June 12, 2020
Contact: Brian Consiglio, 573-882-9144, consigliob@missouri.edu

MU alumnus Reuben Merideth has pledged a $1 million contribution to the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. The gift, designated for the Dean’s Fund for Excellence, will allow the college to direct financial resources to meet any of the college’s needs.

“Dr. Merideth is not only a respected leader in his profession of animal ophthalmology, but also a special friend here at Mizzou and in this college,” said Carolyn Henry, dean of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. “He continues to be invested in the education that our students receive and although he is known worldwide for his expertise in ophthalmology, he has never forgotten his Missouri roots and his alma mater.”

Merideth earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1970 and a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine in 1978, both from MU. Merideth was a National Institutes of Health Fellow in comparative ophthalmology at the University of Florida before founding Eye Care for Animals, the world’s largest veterinary ophthalmology organization, in 1981.

“Dr. Merideth’s gift of unrestricted support will help Mizzou achieve excellence by allowing the College of Veterinary Medicine to respond immediately to its most critical needs,” said Mun Y. Choi, UM System president and interim MU chancellor. “We want to thank Dr. Merideth for his incredible generosity and we are inspired by his leadership.”

Merideth is the author of more than 30 scientific articles and a contributing author of five veterinary textbooks. His clinical interests include glaucoma, a condition where a buildup of pressure in the eye causes damage to the optic nerve, and cataracts, which are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye causing blurry vision. A former president of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association Counsel, Merideth is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, the highest medical designation for veterinarians.

“I could not list all the people at Mizzou who showed great acts of kindness in my education, as my classmates, professors and the staff were all an integral part of my training to become a veterinarian,” Merideth said. “Nothing makes me prouder than to say I am a graduate of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, which is training the next generation of veterinarians to provide services to livestock and pet owners throughout the state. This gift illustrates my confidence in the college as it has adapted to keep students, faculty, staff and clients safe while advancing its mission during the pandemic.”