Collin College named its veterinary technology lab and surgical suite at the Wylie Campus after Dr. Lorraine Chalkley, the first woman to practice veterinary medicine and own a veterinary clinic in Collin County.
The Monday, Sept. 21, ceremony recognized Chalkley's decades of financial support and hands-on involvement with the college's Veterinary Technology program, according to Collin College. The spaces now carry her name: the Dr. Lorraine Chalkley Veterinary Technology Lab, the Dr. Lorraine Chalkley Veterinary Technology Surgical Suite and Clinical Skills Lab.
The college had previously named its Veterinary Technology Radiology Classroom after Chalkley. The Sept. 21 ceremony marked the second round of namings in her honor at the Wylie Campus.
Chalkley founded Southfork Animal Clinic in Murphy in 1980. Before entering veterinary medicine, she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech and worked at Texas Instruments for five years. She has also participated in Christian Veterinary Mission trips to Ecuador.
She supported the Collin College program from its earliest days, providing laboratory space at her clinic during the program's first year. She also established an endowed scholarship for second-year Veterinary Technology students.
Her sister, Patricia "Pat" Wilson Novotny, created a separate endowed scholarship for students in the program.
Beyond the college, Chalkley served as a charter member of the Murphy Animal Shelter Advisory Board and held rabies clinics for 20 years that raised more than $20,000 for the Murphy Volunteer Fire Department.
"Veterinary medicine has brought me a lifetime of enjoyment and fulfillment, and it means so much to me to help students discover that same sense of purpose in their own careers," Chalkley said at the ceremony.
Collin College District President Neil Matkin said Chalkley's support has made "a meaningful difference" in students' lives and that the college is proud the spaces will bear her name. Dr. Kyle Bellue and Dr. Catherine Pfent also spoke at the event. Board of Trustees members, faculty, staff and guests attended.
Collin College serves more than 62,000 credit and continuing education students annually. The Veterinary Technology program, which offers an Associate of Applied Science degree at the Wylie Campus, posted an 89.5 percent pass rate on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) from January 2023 through December 2025. The Class of 2025 reported a 100 percent employment rate within six months of graduation.
