Lyon College has announced the appointment of Dr. Eason Hildreth as associate dean for professional programs at the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine, a major step as Arkansas’ first private veterinary school prepares to welcome its inaugural class in 2027, pending accreditation.
Dr. Hildreth says his vision for the school is built on one simple idea — putting students first.
Before classes even begin, every member of the inaugural class will be invited to meet personally with him during their first month on campus.
“I want to know each student’s story,” Hildreth said. “What do they want to achieve? What can I do for them?”
Building Arkansas’s Newest Veterinary School
The Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine is being developed in Cabot and will become one of the newest veterinary schools in the United States.
Rather than focusing only on classroom instruction, the program is being designed around hands-on clinical experience beginning on the first day of veterinary school.
Students will receive classroom instruction before rotating through a distributed network of veterinary clinics and hospitals across Arkansas and beyond, giving them experience in a variety of practice settings.
The school also plans to partner with Cabot Animal Support Services, allowing students to gain early experience in shelter medicine while helping improve animal welfare in the community.
Extensive Veterinary, Research and Teaching Experience
Dr. Hildreth brings decades of experience in veterinary medicine, biomedical research and higher education.
He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University, completed a small-animal internship at the University of Florida, and a surgical residency at The Ohio State University.
While at Ohio State, he also completed both master’s and doctoral degrees studying bone biology and skeletal development.
His research later expanded into cancer biology and tumor research through postdoctoral fellowships at Ohio State and the Medical University of South Carolina.
After receiving a prestigious National Institutes of Health K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award, he joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he served as assistant professor in pathology and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Throughout his academic career, he has developed graduate courses, mentored veterinary and medical students, and served on 28 doctoral committees.
A Student-First Philosophy
Despite an impressive research résumé, Dr. Hildreth says his greatest passion has always been mentoring students.
“I don’t want to be in an office with the door closed,” he said. “Students have to see us. They have to feel we are approachable.”
He believes accessibility is one of the most important qualities an educator can have.
“The key to ability is availability,” he said. “If you are visible, engaged and willing to learn, you will go further.”
His goal is to create a learning environment where every student feels known, supported and encouraged throughout veterinary school.
Preparing Veterinarians for the Future
Lyon College officials say the curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for careers beyond traditional veterinary practice.
Students will receive education in:
Small and large animal medicine
Shelter medicine
Biomedical research
Public health
Artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine
Leadership and entrepreneurship
Dean Dr. Carolyn Henry says the school’s mission is to graduate veterinarians who are confident, compassionate and prepared for the changing veterinary profession.
“Our goal is to graduate veterinarians who are competent, confident problem solvers, well prepared for whatever segment of veterinary medicine they choose,” Henry said.
She praised Dr. Hildreth’s combination of clinical experience, research accomplishments and dedication to student success.
A Boost for Cabot and Arkansas
Dr. Hildreth also believes the veterinary school will become an economic and educational asset for Cabot and the entire state.
“Bloom where you’re planted,” he said. “What this school will do for the city is massive. We’re going to grow together.”
He expects the inaugural class to include students from across the United States and internationally.
Ultimately, he hopes Lyon College graduates will serve rural and urban communities throughout Arkansas while strengthening animal health, biomedical research, food safety and public health.
For Dr. Hildreth, success comes down to one simple philosophy:
“They do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Founded in 1872, Lyon College is Arkansas’ oldest college operating under its original charter. The college opened its School of Dental Medicine in Little Rock in 2025 and plans to open the School of Veterinary Medicine in Cabot in 2027, pending accreditation.
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