The Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine has received an endowment from Edward C. Liebler, DVM, JD, and his late wife, Mrs. Constance M. Liebler. The $3.3 million bequest, established in 1981, will fund an endowed chair for the College—the Dr. Edward C. Liebler Endowed Chair in Veterinary Practice Management and Law.

After earning his veterinary degree from MSU in 1964, Liebler opened his veterinary practice in Caro, Michigan. While practicing, he became involved in land development and construction, and formed the Liebler Construction Company in 1967. In 1980, he decided to study law, graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1983.

Liebler was actively involved in matters of law for veterinarians. He was one of 18 people who organized and founded the American Veterinary Medical Law Association (AVMLA), incorporated in 1994. This national association is comprised of attorneys, veterinarians, organizations, and members who have an interest in veterinary medical law and how it pertains to the veterinary profession and allied fields. It provides members with information about important issues of veterinary medical law, increases public awareness of the impact these laws have on the veterinary profession, and facilitates interaction between regulatory agencies, the courts, and organizations.

Liebler also had a successful business career. In addition to his veterinary practice, he owned Ed Liebler Enterprises, which consisted of several veterinary, commercial, storage, and land development businesses. These included: Pet Vaccination Centers, Four Star Pet Motel, Spartan Hangars, A-1 Mini Storage, Commerce Dr. Warehouse, and Liebler Construction Company.

Many of Liebler’s business ventures have been civic-minded, serving the communities where he lived and worked. While in the Thumb area, his company built more than 30 Post Office buildings that were leased to the United States Postal Service. Additionally, he built and leased houses to the government to provide shelter for individuals released from state mental institutions. Liebler also served in multiple roles with the Lions Club.

Along with his significant involvement in the AVMLA, Liebler has been active throughout his career with organized veterinary medical associations, as well as MSU. He filled numerous roles within the Thumb Veterinary Medical Association and Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, and served for 10 years on the MSU Alumni Association’s National Alumni Board.

His experiences as a business leader, lawyer, and practicing veterinarian made him acutely aware of the intersection of business, the law, and practice management.

“It is very important to me that future MSU veterinarians are equipped with the knowledge and experience to thrive in the profession,” says Liebler. “I want to ensure that MSU veterinary students have the opportunity to gain valuable practice management skills so they are able to make sound business decisions and have an understanding of the impact of law on their work.”

This Chair enhances the College’s mission: Learn, Discover, Heal, Protect. Additionally, it bolsters one of the strategic goals set forth by the College’s Strategic Plan and Curriculum Reinvention, “to be recognized as a global leader in veterinary health education through a cost-efficient, learner-centered education for career-ready, high-value graduates.”

“With his enthusiasm for business and his love for the veterinary profession and MSU, Dr. Liebler has graciously established this Chair to benefit our students and further prepare them in the areas of business and law,” says John Baker, dean of the College. “Not only will his generosity greatly enhance our students’ experience, it also will enable MSU to become a leader in veterinary business management.”

Endowed chairs enhance the quality of the faculty and the educational experience, which is the foundation for academic excellence. The College will seek an individual with a unique combination of creativity, vision, and experience to be the inaugural Dr. Edward C. Liebler Endowed Chair in Veterinary Practice and Law. The chair will establish high-quality and trendsetting educational opportunities and a research program focused on veterinary practice management and law.