Christina Hixson, of the Lied Foundation Trust of Las Vegas and an ISU alumnus, has donated $3 million to go toward the expansion and renovation of the ISU Small Animal Hospital.

The hospital is currently undergoing a $45.1 million renovation project. Plans include renovating the existing 88,000 square feet of space as well as adding new exam and waiting areas, faculty offices, an intensive care unit and surgery suites, along with some other upgrades.

Hixson’s donation will add more than 17,000 square feet of new space to the building.

The hospital is still open for business while under construction. According to ISU, the project already has received state support and more than $5 million in private funding. It will be completed by fall 2012.

Once completed, the hospital will be named the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital after approval from the Iowa Board of Regents.